Hexagram 12 of 64
Standstill否
Heaven and earth do not meet. The noble person lives simply to avoid trouble and does not seek honor or pay.
- Upper
- Heaven
- Lower
- Earth
- Order
- 12 / 64
否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。
Judgment: Blocked by the wrong people. It does not help the noble person to stay steady. The great goes, the small comes.
天地不交，否；君子以儉德辟難，不可榮以祿。
Image: Heaven and earth do not meet. The noble person lives simply to avoid trouble and does not seek honor or pay.
In plain words
The situation: Things are blocked and people are not in touch.
What you can do: Hold your ground, do not force it, and wait for a change.
For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.
The six lines
- 上九傾否，先否後喜。The standstill is overturned. First it is blocked, then there is joy.In shortThe deadlock finally breaks; hard at first, then things turn happy.
- 九五休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，繫于苞桑。The standstill ends. Good fortune for the great person. It could fail, it could fail! Tie it to a mulberry clump.In shortThe block is starting to ease, but stay alert and keep your footing secure.
- 九四有命，无咎，疇離祉。There is a mandate: no fault. Companions share the blessing.In shortWith a clear mandate, acting is fine, and your allies share the benefits.
- 六三包羞。Bearing shame.In shortPutting up with what you should not brings shame; see it for what it is.
- 六二包承，小人吉，大人否。亨。Accepting and enduring. Good fortune for the small person. For the great person, standstill and then success.In shortGoing along may help small people, but the principled accept the block rather than bend.
- 初六拔茅茹以其彙，貞吉。亨。Pull up the reed and its roots come with it, tied to its kind. Steadiness brings good fortune and success.In shortStand together with allies and hold your principles; this goes well.
Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.