8. Union
Name and Structure
Bi is the inverse of the preceding gua, Shu, Multitude. Bi suggests intimacy and closeness. People living together should love and care about each other; then they will become intimate and close. Wilhelm translates this gua as Holding Together (Union); Blofeld as Unity, Coordination. In this book, Bi is called Union.
Sequence of the Gua
In a multitude,
There must be a bond of union.
Thus, after Multitude,
Union follows.
In ancient times, Bi was the fundamental unit of the Chinese household registry system. Every five households formed one unit, called Bi. In every Bi a head ws appointed, to take care of the neighborhood. Thus, Bi also means neighborhood and symbolizes a close bond of the people in a community. The ancient ideograph of Bi is simple; it shows two persons below. When earth contains water, it becomes soft. When water is on the earth, it flows. the ancient king gained insight from the close relationship between water and earth; he established numerous states and maintained a close relationship with his subordinate lords.
Decision
Seeking union.
Good fortune.
Examine the divination:
Sublimely persevering, steadfast and upright.
No fault.
Restless factions just coming.
Lagging behind: misfortune.
Commentary on the Decision
Seeking union. Good fortune.
It is for mutual help.
The lower follows the upper.
Examine the divination:
Sublimely persevering, steadfast and upright.
No fault.
Due to its firmness and central position.
Restless factions just coming.
The upper and the lower correspond.
Lagging behind: misfortune.
There is no way out.
Significance
This gua expounds the importance of loving and caring in a union. People living close together must love and care about each other. In our daily lives, nothing is more harmful than successive conflict, and nothing is more auspicious than the harmonious relationships between people. In this gua, Union, most lines are auspicious. The structure of the gua is Water above Earth. Here Water symbolizes a restless mind; thus, King Wen’s Decision says, “Restless factions just coming.” Confucius’sCommentary on the Decision says, “The upper and the lower correspond.” The “upper” refers to the upper gua and the “lower” to the lower gua. In the I Ching, the uppermost line symbolizes the end of a cycle. In this gua, the uppermost line is yin, and the fifth line is yang. A y8in line mounting a yang line symbolizes an adverse attitude.
The solid line at the fifth place is the only solid line in this gua. It is the host of the gua. Its quality if firm and strong, and its place is central and correct. It symbolizes a right person in a right place who is sure to have great influence upon his surroundings. There are five yielding lines. All yielding lines submit to the solid line at the fifth place, except the yielding line at the top. this line represents one who goes beyond the proper limit.
King Wen’s Decision says, “Seeking union. Good fortune. Examine the divination: sublimely persevering, steadfast and upright. No fault.” To examine the oracle, in Chinese, is yuan shi. Yuan originally meant the source of a river. Later on, the character also came to mean “to examine” and “a beginning.” Shi means to divine with yarrow stalks. Some translations skip this line. Others say “inquire further,” “further consultation,” or “inquire again.” In ancient times, only in rare case did yuan mean “again.” Considering the Decision as a whole, there is no need to inquire of the oracle once again. It is more appropriate to translate yuan shi as “examine the divination.” “Sublimely persevering, steadfast and upright” indicagte the quality of the host of the gua, the solid line at the fifth position.
This gua tells us that King Wen was successful in an expedition. He brought goodwill to the minority clans, and they became allies. King Wen claims that it was auspicious to seek union. Only those whose minds were restless and who had just arrived or lagged behind might bring misfortune. The Duke of Zhou told how King Wen sought union with sincerity. He was as full of sincerity as an earthen well bucket filled with water. He began by seeking union within his own clan and then extended it to other clans. He sought union with wrong persons, but he followed in the steps of King Tang, a brilliant king of the Shang dynasty, driving game on three sides. Those who were willing to come, he welcomed. Those who did not want to join, he let go. Later on, those minority clans joined King Wen’s revolution against the Tyrant of Shang.