Hexagram 7

The Army (Shī)

Upper Trigram Kun (Earth) · Lower Trigram Kan (Water)

Judgment

师：贞，丈人吉，无咎。

Plain Meaning：The army needs discipline; a seasoned leader brings fortune and no blame.

Image (Great Commentary)

地中有水，师；君子以容民畜众。

Line Texts

初六师出以律，否臧凶。
The army must march by discipline; without it, misfortune.
九二在师中吉，无咎，王三锡命。
Central in the army—fortune, no blame; the king thrice bestows commands.
六三师或舆尸，凶。
The army may carry corpses in the wagon—misfortune.
六四师左次，无咎。
The army retreats and camps—no blame; timely withdrawal.
六五田有禽，利执言，无咎。长子帅师，弟子舆尸，贞凶。
Game in the field—act with just cause; right command succeeds, wrong command fails.
上六大君有命，开国承家，小人勿用。
The great ruler rewards; found states and houses, but do not employ petty men.

Symbolism

Water within earth: mustering and disciplining the masses.

Life Lesson

Lead groups with discipline, just cause and the right people.

Modern Application

Leading teams or campaigns: rules, authority and clear reward.

Words of Caution

Without discipline or just cause, action fails.

Cast a Mei Hua divination

The opposite hexagram flips every line, the reverse turns it upside down, and the nuclear hides in the inner lines — read them side by side for a fuller picture.

Opposite (Cuo)

Fellowship (Tóng Rén)Hexagram 13 Reverse (Zong)

Holding Together (Bǐ)Hexagram 8 Nuclear (Hu)

Return (Fù)Hexagram 24