Hexagram 13 · ䷌
This is fellowship that is open, public, and free of private clique. Because it is broad and principled, it can carry one even through major undertakings.
Judgment
This is fellowship that is open, public, and free of private clique. Because it is broad and principled, it can carry one even through major undertakings.
Image
Fire under heaven spreads its light broadly. The noble person responds by discerning real differences and affinities, so that unity is built on clarity rather than confusion.
Lines
Beginning fellowship with others brings no error. This is the initial stage of alliance-building. Fellowship with others within the clan brings regret. The Army retreats to hidden...
Fellowship with people in the open country. Success. It furthers one to cross the great river. The perseverance of the noble person furthers.
This is fellowship that is open, public, and free of private clique. Because it is broad and principled, it can carry one even through major undertakings.
Fellowship with people means the yielding attains its place and the center, and responds to Qian. Hence it is called Fellowship with People. Fellowship in the open country succeeds because the way of Qian moves forward. Clarity joined with strength, with central correctness and response: this is the noble person's proper way. Only the noble person can understand the aims of all under heaven.
True fellowship rests on openness, clarity, strength, and a central, responsive heart. It is not mere closeness, but a shared alignment that can unite people across the world.
Heaven together with fire: the image of Fellowship with People. The noble person classifies beings and distinguishes things by kind.
Fire under heaven spreads its light broadly. The noble person responds by discerning real differences and affinities, so that unity is built on clarity rather than confusion.
Fellowship with others at the beginning. No error.
Beginning fellowship with others brings no error. This is the initial stage of alliance-building.
Small Image
Fellowship at the beginning shows one has not yet found their allies.
Fellowship at the beginning shows one has not yet found their proper allies.
Fellowship with others in the field. Regret.
Fellowship with others within the clan brings regret.
Small Image
Fellowship in the wilderness shows one seeks in the wrong place.
Fellowship within the clan shows the way is not yet broad enough.
The Army hides in the hill. Three years without gaining success.
The Army retreats to hidden positions. Three years pass without achieving victory.
Small Image
The Army hiding shows one has lost their proper followers.
The Army hiding in the hill shows one has lost their proper followers.
The person mounts the hill but does not cross. There is no error.
You climb the hill but cannot cross to the other side. No error comes from this impasse.
Small Image
Mounting the hill without crossing shows one has reached an impasse.
Climbing the hill without crossing shows one has reached an impasse.
The fellowship first weeps and wails, then laughs. After great battle, they gain the enemy.
First you weep and wail, then later laugh. After great battle, you overcome the enemy.
Small Image
Weeping before laughing shows the transformation from sorrow to joy.
Weeping before laughing shows the transformation from sorrow to joy.
The person in the wilderness seeks fellowship.
Fellowship with others in the outskirts shows a more open union.
Small Image
In the wilderness seeking fellowship shows one searches outside.
Fellowship in the outskirts means the will has not yet exhausted its possibilities.
What does T'ung Jên / Fellowship mean in the I Ching?
This is fellowship that is open, public, and free of private clique. Because it is broad and principled, it can carry one even through major undertakings.
How should I study Hexagram 13 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. Beginning fellowship with others brings no error. This is the initial stage of alliance-building. Fellowship with others within the clan brings regret. The Army retreats to hidden...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
True fellowship rests on openness, clarity, strength, and a central, responsive heart. It is not mere closeness, but a shared alignment that can unite people across the world.
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.