Shi 地水師
A time to lead a team
Rules and responsibility are needed. If you lead, hold to principle; if you follow, trust and follow.
What does I Ching hexagram 7 (The Army) mean?
Water gathered underground, like an army being led. Discipline, a clear cause and a strong leader are needed.
- The Army in love
- Principles and responsibility matter here. Put order ahead of emotion.
- The Army at work and with money
- A time to organize a team and lead a big task. Make the rules clear.
- Advice
- Set the cause and let a trusted person lead.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · The Army
Very auspicious“Perseverance of a mature leader brings good fortune and no blame.”
The Image: Within the earth there is water: the army. The noble person is generous to the people and gathers a following.
原文 · 貞丈人吉，无咎。 / 地中有水，師；君子以容民畜衆。
The six lines of hexagram 7
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Misfortune“The army goes out in good order; if the order is bad, misfortune.”
Discipline at the start decides everything. Without clear rules, it ends badly.
原文 · 師出以律，否臧，凶。
Line 2 · 九二
Very auspicious“In the midst of the army: good fortune, no blame. The king bestows honor three times.”
A leader who is among the troops and shares their burden is recognized and supported.
原文 · 在師中吉，无咎；王三錫命。
Line 3 · 六三
Misfortune“The army may carry corpses in the cart: misfortune.”
Too many people trying to lead leads to disaster. Settle who is in charge.
原文 · 師或輿尸，凶。
Line 4 · 六四
No blame“The army retreats to a camp on the left: no blame.”
Pulling back in a bad position is not failure. Retreating wisely is fine.
原文 · 師左次，无咎。
Line 5 · 六五
Caution“There is game in the field; it is fitting to speak up and make a case, no blame. If the eldest leads the army while the younger carries corpses, even perseverance brings misfortune.”
Act only when there is a clear reason, and put the right person in charge.
原文 · 田有禽，利執言，无咎。長子帥師，弟子輿尸，貞凶。
Line 6 · 上六
Neutral“The great ruler gives orders, founding states and giving out families; do not use petty people.”
After success, reward people but don’t put small-minded people in charge.
原文 · 大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 13. Tong Ren (Fellowship)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 8. Bi (Holding Together)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.