Ts'ui / Gathering Together [Massing]
above: Tui The Joyous, Lake
below:K'un The Receptive, Earth
This hexagram is related in form and meaning to Pi, HOLDING TOGETHER (8).
In the latter, water is over the earth; here a lake is over the earth.
But since the lake is a place where water collects, the idea of
gathering together is even more strongly expressed here than in the
other hexagram. The same idea also arises from the fact that in the
present case it is two strong lines (the fourth and the fifth) that
bring about the gather together, whereas in the former case one strong
line (the fifth) stands in the midst of weak lines.
The Judgement
GATHERING TOGETHER. Success.
The king approaches his temple.
It furthers one to see the great man.
This brings success. Perseverance furthers.
To bring great offerings creates good fortune.
It furthers one to undertake something.
The gathering together of people in large communities is either a
natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one,
as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its
head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through
the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered
together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the
family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the
family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved.
Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But
there must also be a human leader to serve as the center of the group.
In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of
all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite
the world. Such great times of unification will leave great
achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great
offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is need
of great deeds in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER.
The Image
Over the earth, the lake:
The image of GATHERING TOGETHER.
Thus the superior man renews his weapons
In order to meet the unforeseen.
If the water in the lake gathers until it rises above the earth, there is danger of a break-through. Precautions must be taken to prevent this. Similarly where men gather together in great numbers, strife is likely to arise; where possessions are collected, robbery is likely to occur. Thus in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER we must arm promptly to ward off the unexpected. Human woes usually come as a result of unexpected events against which we are not forearmed. If we are prepared, they can be prevented.