Hexagram 7
The Army
師 · 사
Earth over Water
The Judgment
The Army concerns the ordering of many people when danger requires a common effort. Numbers alone do not make strength: discipline must rest upon a just purpose, and command must belong to one whose maturity inspires confidence. Firm correctness, joined to humane authority, can bring good fortune without blame. Force becomes legitimate only when it protects the people and restores order; ambition, cruelty, and confused leadership turn a necessary instrument into a source of calamity.
The Image
Water lies within the earth, held in channels and hidden reserves. So the strength of a people rests within their common life. The noble one cares for the population and gathers its trust, understanding that an effective host grows from nourishment, protection, and the orderly support of ordinary households.
In the light of the Dao
Force is best held in reserve, like water beneath the soil. The wise commander does not delight in conflict or stir the multitude for personal fame. Use only what necessity requires, preserve living strength, and return to stillness when the danger has passed.
The two trigrams
Upper · outer
☷Earth
Receptive, yielding · Mother
Lower · inner
☵Water
Abysmal, danger · Middle son
The six lines
Read from the bottom up. A line speaks only when it moves — when the cast gives it as 6 or 9.
First line · the beginning · yin, six
An army must set out under clear discipline. Before movement begins, establish the rule that binds leader and follower alike. If order is neglected, neither enthusiasm nor a seemingly favorable opportunity will prevent misfortune; confusion at the beginning spreads through every later action.
Second line · the inner centre · yang, nine
The commander stands in the midst of the army, sharing its burden while maintaining proper authority. Such central responsibility brings good fortune and no blame. Repeated recognition from the ruler confirms a trust earned through competence, balance, and care for the whole.
Third line · the threshold · yin, six
The army carries its dead in wagons. This is the bitter image of force badly directed, whether through divided command, presumption, or incompetence. Do not hide failure beneath brave language; misplaced authority spends the lives and strength that leadership was meant to preserve.
Fourth line · the minister · yin, six
The army withdraws to a safer position, and there is no blame. Sound command knows when advance would waste its strength. Retreat undertaken with order and clear purpose preserves the possibility of later service; stubborn exposure is not the same as courage.
Fifth line · the ruler · yin, six
Game has entered the fields, and action to remove the harm is justified. Yet command must rest with the seasoned leader. If the inexperienced take charge, the wagons may return laden with dead; even a rightful cause cannot redeem disastrous direction.
Top line · the end · yin, six
The great ruler settles the victory by establishing domains and rewarding service. Distinguish achievement from fitness to govern. Those of petty character must not be entrusted with authority, however useful they were in struggle, lest the peace inherit the seeds of fresh disorder.