Hexagram 7 · Shi 師
Collective strength needs a responsible leader
Shi places Earth above Water. One unbroken line holds the second position among five divided lines. The classical text speaks about an army: many people acting together under demanding conditions.
Short answer
Read Shi as a call to examine purpose, discipline, and leadership before mobilizing a group. Shared effort can be effective when those directing it are capable and answerable for its costs.
- Upper
- Kun · Earth
- Lower
- Kan · Water
Pattern
Earth above Water
- Chinese
- 師
- Upper trigram
- Kun · Earth
- Lower trigram
- Kan · Water
- Lines
- One yang in the second position
Classical text
Put capable judgment at the center
師：貞丈人吉，无咎。— Zhouyi, Hexagram 7
The judgment links a sound course to an experienced leader. The Tuan commentary calls Shi a multitude and stresses directing that multitude rightly. This is a text about organized force, not a general instruction to enter a fight.
The Image says “地中有水，師；君子以容民畜衆”: water is held within earth, and the exemplary person cares for and gathers people. Applying this to a modern team is an analogy. The line texts also warn that poor discipline and the wrong leader can bring serious harm; a worthy aim does not excuse careless command.
When it helps
Organize around a sound purpose
What are people being asked to do, and why? Who has the experience and trust to lead while protecting those affected?
What to watch
Scale increases responsibility
Before drawing others into a difficult effort, check the rules, the costs, and the exit conditions. Loyalty alone cannot repair weak judgment.
Questions for reflection
- Is the shared goal clear and justified?
- Who is accountable for decisions and consequences?
- What discipline would protect the people involved?
Read moving lines with the question and method of your own cast; this reference is not a complete reading. See how changing lines are displayed.
Sources
Check the original text
This page paraphrases the classical material and labels the modern team analogy as interpretation.