Cuì Condensation Gathering [hexagram 45]

Yin line Yang - controlling line Yang line Yin line Yin line Yin line

Thicket, conglomeration, consolidation
Lake over
Earth
Metal Metal element

Mountain Heaven
Dà xù [26] Impeded; Great nourishment
Opposite
Earth Wind
Shēng [46] Ascent; Growing up
Inverse
Wind Mountain
Jiàn [53] Progression; Gradual development
Mutual

Lunar month: 8 ; Host or Controlling line : 5
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萃: . 庙, , , . , . Cuì: hēng. wáng jiǎ yǒu miào, lì jiàn dà ren, hēng, lì zhēn. yòng dà shēng jí, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.

In (the state denoted by) Cui, the king will repair to his ancestral temple. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man; and then there will be progress and success, though the advantage must come through firm correctness. The use of great victims will conduce to good fortune; and in whatever direction movement is made, it will be advantageous.

: 萃, 聚; , , . 庙, . , 聚. , , . 观聚, 矣. Tuàn zhuàn: Cuì, jù yě; shùn yǐ shuō, gāng zhōng ér yīng, gù jù yě. wáng jiǎ yǒu miào, zhì xiào xiǎng yě. lì jiàn dà ren hēng, jù yǐ zhèng yě. yòng dà shēng jí, lì yǒu yōu wǎng, shùn tiān mìng yě. guān qí suǒ jù, ér tiān dì wàn wù zhī qíng kě jiàn yǐ.

Cui indicates (the condition of union, or) being collected. We have in it (the symbol of) docile obedience going on to (what is expressed by that of) satisfaction. There is the strong line in the central place, and rightly responded to. Hence comes the (idea of) union. ‘The king will repair to his ancestral temple:’ - with the utmost filial piety he presents his offerings (to the spirits of his ancestors). ‘It will be advantageous to meet the great man, and there will then be prosperity and success:’ - the union effected by him will be on and through what is correct. ‘The, use of great victims will conduce to good fortune; and in whatsoever direction movement is made, it will be advantageous:’ - all is done in accordance with the ordinances of Heaven. When we look at the way in which the gatherings (here shown) take place, the natural tendencies (in the outward action) of heaven and earth and of all things can be seen.

: , 萃; 除戎器, 戒虞. Xiàng zhuàn: Zé shàng yú dì, cuì; jūn zǐ yǐ chú róng qì, jiè bù yú.

(The trigram representing the) earth and that for the waters of a marsh raised above it form Cui. The superior man, in accordance with this, has his weapons of war put in good repair, to be prepared against unforeseen contingencies.

young yin young yang young yang young yin young yin changing yin
I Ching transform
Lake
Wood
Suí [17] Sucession; Pursuit
Change
: , 萃, , 恤, . Chū liù: yǒu fú bù zhōng, nǎi luàn nǎi cuì, ruò hào yī wò wéi xiào, wù xù, wǎng wú jiù.

The first ‘six’, divided, shows its subject with a sincere desire (for union), but unable to carry it out, so that disorder is brought into the sphere of his union. If he cry out (for help to his proper correlate), all at once (his tears) will give place to smiles. He need not mind (the temporary difficulty); as he goes forward, there will be no error.

: 萃, . Xiàng zhuàn: Nǎi luànnǎi cuì, qí zhì luàn yě.

‘In consequence disorder is brought into the sphere of his union:’ - his mind and aim are thrown into confusion.

young yin young yang young yang young yin changing yin young yin
I Ching transform
Lake
Water
Kùn [47] Confinement; Exhaustion
Change
: 引, , 禴. Liù èr: yǐn jí, wú jiù, fú nǎi lì yòng yuè.

The second ‘six’, divided, shows its subject led forward (by his correlate). There will be good fortune, and freedom from error. There is entire sincerity, and in that case (even the small offerings of) the vernal sacrifice are acceptable.

: 引, . Xiàng zhuàn: Yǐn jí wú jiù, zhōng wèi biàn yě.

‘He is led forward; there will be good fortune, and freedom from error:’ - (the virtue proper to) his central place has not undergone any change.

young yin young yang young yang changing yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Lake
Mountain
Xián [31] Reaction; Influence
Change
: 萃, 嗟, , , 吝. Liù sān: cuì rú, jiē rú, wú yōu lì, wǎng wú jiù, xiǎo lìn.

The third ‘six’, divided, shows its subject striving after union and seeming to sigh, yet nowhere finding any advantage. If he go forward, he will not err, though there may be some small cause for regret.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng wú jiù, shàng xùn yě.

‘If he go forward, he will not err:’ - in the subject of the topmost line there is humility and condescension.

young yin young yang changing yang young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Water
Earth
[8] Coherence; Union
Change
: , . Jiǔ sì: dà jí, wú jiù.

The fourth ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject in such a state that, if he be greatly fortunate, he will receive no blame.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Dà jí wú jiù, wèi bù dàng yě.

‘If he be grandly fortunate, he will receive no blame:’ - (this condition is necessary, because) his position is not the one proper to him.

young yin changing yang young yang young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Wood
Earth
[16] Inspiration; Delight
Change
: 萃, . , , . Jiǔ wǔ: cuì yǒu wèi, wú jiù. fěi fú, yuán yǒng zhēn, huǐ wáng.

The fifth ‘nine’, undivided, shows the union (of all) under its subject in the place of dignity. There will be no error. If any do not have confidence in him, let him see to it that (his virtue) be great, long-continued, and firmly correct, and all occasion for repentance will disappear.

: 萃, . Xiàng zhuàn: Cuì yǒu wèi, zhì wèi guāng yě.

‘There is the union (of all) under him in the place of dignity:’ - (but) his mind and aim have not yet been brilliantly displayed.

changing yin young yang young yang young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Heaven
Earth
[12] Stagnation; Hindrance
Change
: 赍咨涕洟, . Shàng liù: jī zī tì tì, wú jiù.

The topmost ‘six’, divided, shows its subject sighing and weeping; but there will be no error.

: 赍咨涕洟, . Xiàng zhuàn: Jī zī tì tì, wèi ān shàng yě.

‘He sighs and weeps:’ - he does not yet rest in his topmost position.

This translation of the YiJing classic text uses the original Chinese including the Xiàng zhuàn commentary converted to modern simplified characters and pinyin. The English translation is based on William Legge (1899) which is now out of copyright. We have changed some wording and converted to American spelling. We hope to replace this with a more modern translation.

See also