Pi / Holding Together [Union]

above: K'an The Abysmal, Water
below: K'un The Receptive, Earth

The fifth [nine], undivided, affords the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment. (We seem to see in it) the king urging his pursuit of the game (only) in three directions, and allowing the escape of all the animals before him, while the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent it). There will be evil.

The subject of line 5 is the king, who must be in the center of union. The ancient kings had their great hunting expeditions in the different seasons; and that of each season had its peculiar rules. But what is stated here was common to all. When the beating was completed, and the shooting was ready to commence, one side of the enclosure into which the game had been driven was left open and unguarded; - a proof of the royal benevolence, which did not want to make an end of all the game. So well-known and understood is this benevolence of the model king of the hexagram, that all his people try to give it effect. Thus the union contemplated is shown to be characterized by mutual confidence and appreciation in virtue and benevolence.