Hexagram 7
地水师
The Army
Upper Trigram
☷
坤 (土)
Lower Trigram
☵
坎 (水)
Palace
坎 Palace
Shi / Ying Lines
Shi: Line 3 · Ying: Line 6
The 坤 trigram (土) sits above the 坎 trigram (水), forming 地水师. This hexagram belongs to the 坎 Palace.
Judgment (卦辞)
The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame.
Image (象辞)
In the middle of the earth is water: the image of The Army. Thus the superior man increases his masses by generosity.
Line Texts (爻辞)
An army must set forth in proper order. (师出以律，否臧凶)
In the midst of the army. Good fortune. The king bestows triple decoration. (在师中，吉，无咎)
Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune. (师或舆尸，凶)
The army retreats. No blame. (师左次，无咎)
Let the eldest lead the army. The younger transports corpses. (长子帅师，弟子舆尸，贞凶)
The great prince issues commands. Inferior people should not be employed. (大君有命，开国承家，小人勿用)
In-Depth Analysis
Hexagram 7, Shi, teaches leadership and organization. Water within Earth - underground water sustaining a population - symbolizes hidden power of well-organized masses. Leadership requires steadfastness, not just charisma. Line 1: discipline is non-negotiable. Line 3: incompetent leadership leads to disaster. Line 4: knowing when to retreat equals knowing when to advance. Line 5: put the experienced person in charge. Shi warns against employing those without integrity in positions of power.
Historical Stories
📜 Sun Tzu's Art of War: discipline, timing, and the paramount importance of competent leadership.
📜 Battle of Red Cliffs: smaller forces defeated Cao Cao through superior strategy, not numbers.
Practical Applications
Management: Fix the system, not just the people. Clear structure matters most.
Projects: A brilliant plan with poor leadership is a corpse-filled wagon.
Community organizing: Hidden power lies in relationships and trust.