Fellowship (Tóng Rén)

Judgment

同人于野，亨。利涉大川，利君子贞。

Plain Meaning：Fellowship in the open: success; it profits to cross the great water and to be upright.

Image (Great Commentary)

天与火，同人；君子以类族辨物。

Line Texts

• 初九同人于门，无咎。

  Fellowship at the gate—no blame.

• 六二同人于宗，吝。

  Fellowship only within the clan—regret.

• 九三伏戎于莽，升其高陵，三岁不兴。

  Weapons hidden in the thicket, climbing the hill—three years without rising.

• 九四乘其墉，弗克攻，吉。

  Mounting the wall but not attacking—fortune in restraint.

• 九五同人，先号啕而后笑，大师克相遇。

  Fellowship: first weeping, then laughter—after great effort they meet.

• 上九同人于郊，无悔。

  Fellowship in the suburbs—no remorse.

Symbolism

Heaven and fire rising together: fellowship and shared aims.

Life Lesson

True fellowship is open and impartial; unity forged through hardship is strong.

Modern Application

Alliances thrive on openness across divides; cliques undermine them.

Words of Caution

Fellowship confined to one’s clique limits growth.