7. Shih / The Army

Top: Earth | Bottom: Water

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This hexagram is made up of the trigrams K'an, water, and K'un, earth, and thus it symbolizes the

ground water stored up in the earth. In the same way military strength is stored up in the mass of

the people--invisible in times of peace but always ready for use as a source of power. The

attributes of the two trig rams are danger inside and obedience must prevail outside. Of the

individual lines, the one that controls the hexagram is the strong nine in the second place, to

which the other lines, all yielding, are subordinate. This line indicates a commander, because it

stands in the middle of one of the two trigrams. But since it is in the lower rather than the upper

trigram, it represents not the ruler but the efficient general, who maintains obedience in the army

by his authority.

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THE JUDGMENT

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The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame.

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An army is a mass that needs organization in order to become a fighting force.

Without strict discipline nothing can be accomplished, but this discipline must not be achieved

by force. It requires a strong man who captures the hearts of the people and awakens their

enthusiasm. In order that he may develop his abilities he needs the complete confidence of his

ruler, who must entrust him with full responsibility as long as the war lasts. But war is always a

dangerous thing and brings with it destruction and devastation. Therefore it should not be

resorted to rashly but, like a poisonous drug, should be used as a last recourse.

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THE IMAGE

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In the middle of the earth is water: Thus the superior man increases his masses by generosity

toward the people.

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Ground water is invisibly present within the earth. In the same way the military power of a

people is invisibly present in the masses. When danger threatens, every peasant becomes present

in the masses. When danger threatens, every peasant becomes a soldier; when the war ends, he

goes back to his plow. He who is generous toward the people wins their love, and a people living

under a mild rule becomes strong and powerful. Only a people economically strong can be

important in military power. Such power must therefore be cultivated by improving the economic

condition of the people and by humane government. Only when there is this invisible bond

between government and people, so that the people are sheltered by their government as ground

water is sheltered by the earth, is it possible to wage a victorious war.

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THE LINES

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Six at the beginning means:

An army must set forth in proper order. If the order is not good, misfortune threatens.

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At the beginning of a military enterprise, order is imperative. A just and valid cause must exist,

and the obedience and coordination of the troops must be well organized, otherwise the result is

inevitably failure.

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Nine in the second place means:

In the midst of the army. Good fortune. No blame.The king bestows a triple decoration.

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The leader should be in the midst of his army, in touch with it, sharing good and bad with the

masses he leads. This alone makes him equal to the heavy demands made upon him. He needs

also the recognition of the ruler. The decorations he receives are justified, because there is no

question of personal preferment here: the whole army, whose center he is, is honored in his

person.

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Six in the third place means:

Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune.

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Here we have a choice of two explanations. One points to defeat because someone other than the

chosen leader interferes with the command; the other is similar in its general meaning, but the

expression, "carries corpses in the wagon," is interpreted differently. At burials and at sacrifices

to the dead it was customary in China for the deceased to whom the sacrifice was made to be

represented by a boy of the family, who sat in the dead man's place and was honored as his

representative. On the basis of this custom the text is interpreted as meaning that a "corpse boy"

is sitting in the wagon, or, in other words, that authority is not being exercised by the proper

leaders but has been usurped by others. Perhaps the whole difficulty clears up if it is inferred that

there has been an error in copying. The character fan, meaning "all," may have been misread as

shih, which means "corpse." Allowing for this error, the meaning would be that if the multitude

assumes leadership of the army (rides in the wagon), misfortune will ensue.

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Six in the fourth place means:

The army retreats. No blame.

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In the face of a superior enemy, with whom it would be hopeless to engage in battle, an orderly

retreat is the only correct procedure, because it will save the army from defeat and disintegration.

It is by no means a sign of courage or strength to insist upon engaging in a hopeless struggle

regardless of circumstances.

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Six in the fifth place means:

There is game in the field. It furthers one to catch it. Without blame.

Let the eldest lead the army. The younger transports corpses; Then perseverance brings misfortune.

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Game is in the field--it has left its usual haunts in the forest and is devastating the fields. This

points to an enemy invasion. Energetic combat and punishment are here thoroughly justified, but

they must not degenerate into a wild melee in which everyone fends for himself. Despite the

greatest degree of perseverance and bravery, this would lead to misfortune. The army must be

directed by an experienced leader. It is a matter of waging war, not of permitting the mob to

slaughter all who fall into their hands; if they do, defeat will be the result, and despite all

perseverance there is danger of misfortune.

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Six at the top means:

The great prince issues commands. Founds states, vests families with fiefs. Inferior people should

not be employed.

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The war has ended successfully, victory is won, and the king divided estates and fiefs among his

faithful vassals. But it is important that inferior people should not come into power. If they have

helped, let them be paid off with money, but they should not be awarded lands or the privileges

of rulers, lest power be abused.