否 Pǐ Stagnation (Hindrance) [hexagram 12]
Heaven over Earth
Metal element
Lunar month: 7 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
The Descision
A lack of understanding represents an obstacle to progress. The great has gone, the small arrives.
‘A lack of understanding represents an obstacle to progress. The great has gone, the small arrives’ – heaven and earth are out of sync, all things lose connection; the high and low do not communicate and so all order is lost. The inner is yin the outer yang; the core is weak even though the appearance is strong. Weakness increases, strength wanes.
否之匪人, 不利君子贞, 大往小来. Fǒu zhī fěi rén, bù lì jūn zǐ zhēn, dà wǎng xiǎo lái.
彖传: 否之匪人, 不利君子贞. 大往小来, 则是天地不交, 而万物不通也; 上下不交, 而天下无邦也. 内阴而外阳, 内柔而外刚, 内小人而外君子. 小人道长, 君子道消也. Tuàn zhuàn: Fǒu zhī fěi rén, bù lì jūn zǐ zhēn. Dà wǎng xiǎo lái, zé shì tiān dì bù jiāo, ér wàn wù bù tōng yě; shàng xià bù jiāo, ér tiān xià wú bāng yě. nèi yīn ér wài yáng, nèi róu ér wài gāng, nèi xiǎo rén ér wài jūn zǐ. xiǎo rén dào zhǎng, jūn zǐ dào xiāo yě.
The Image
Heaven and earth lack proper communion. It is wise to hold back to avoid calamity. It is inappropriate to seek advancement.
象传: 天地不交, 否; 君子以俭德辟难, 不可荣以禄. Xiàng zhuàn: Tiān dì bù jiāo, fǒu; jūn zǐ yǐ jiǎn dé bì nàn, bù kě róng yǐ lù.
By pulling up one grass stalk, others come up with it. Persistence will pay off.
Persistence will pay off by pulling up grass – a wish to serve others.
初六: 拔茅茹, 以其汇, 贞吉亨. Chū liù: bá máo rú, yǐ qí huì, zhēn jí hēng.
象传: 拔茅贞吉, 志在君也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bá máo zhēn jí, zhì zài jūn yě.
Humility and obedience – for the small-minded good fortune but for the wise temporary hindrance.
‘For the wise temporary hindrance’ – avoid the distraction of others.
六二: 包承. 小人吉, 大人否, 亨. Liù èr: bāo chéng. xiǎo rén jí, dà ren fǒu, hēng.
象传: 大人否亨, 不乱群也. Xiàng zhuàn: Dà ren fǒu hēng, bù luàn qún yě.
Face up to shameful thoughts.
‘Face up to shameful thoughts’ – the situation is inappropriate
六三: 包羞. Liù sān: bāo xiū.
象传: 包羞, 位不当也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bāo xiū, wèi bù dàng yě.
Following heaven’s will is not a mistake. Friends will share in happiness.
‘Following heaven’s will is not a mistake’ – the goal can be achieved.
九四: 有命, 无咎, 畴离祉. Jiǔ sì: yǒu mìng, wú jiù, chóu lí zhǐ.
象传: 有命无咎, 志行也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yǒu mìng wú jiù, zhì xíng yě.
Obstruction is at an end, good fortune to the wise. Take heed! Take heed! An undertaking needs strong roots.
‘Good fortune to the wise’ – because this is appropriate.
九五: 休否, 大人吉. 其亡其亡, 系于苞桑. Jiǔ wǔ: xiū fǒu, dà ren jí. qí wáng qí wáng, jì yú bāo sāng.
象传: 大人之吉, 位正当也. Xiàng zhuàn: Dà ren zhī jí, wèi zhèng dàng yě.
The obstruction has been removed. Hindrance has turned to joy.
‘The obstruction has been removed’ – it could not persist forever.
上九: 倾否, 先否后喜. Shàng jiǔ: qīng fǒu, xiān fǒu hòu xǐ.
象传: 否终则倾, 何可长 Xiàng zhuàn: Fǒu zhōng zé qīng, hé kě cháng
The full set of 64 English translations is available in our new book 'Book of Changes - Deciphered' ➚.