I Ching Hexagram 45: Bringing Together (萃)
Overview
This hexagram is related in form and meaning to Pi, HOLDING TOGETHER
8. In the latter, water is over the earth; here a lake is over the earth. But since the lake is a place where water collects, the idea of gathering together is even more strongly expressed here than in the other hexagram. The same idea also arises from the fact that in the present case it is two strong lines (the fourth and the fifth) that bring about the gather together, whereas in the former case one strong line (the fifth) stands in the midst of weak lines.
The Judgment — Wilhelm/Baynes Translation
GATHERING TOGETHER. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something.
— Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, The I Ching or Book of Changes (Princeton University Press, 1950)
The Image — Wilhelm/Baynes Translation
Over the earth, the lake: The image of GATHERING TOGETHER. Thus the superior man renews his weapons In order to meet the unforeseen.
— Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, The I Ching or Book of Changes (1950)
Commentary
If the water in the lake gathers until it rises above the earth, there is danger of a break-through. Precautions must be taken to prevent this. Similarly where men gather together in great numbers, strife is likely to arise; where possessions are collected, robbery is likely to occur. Thus in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER we must arm promptly to ward off the unexpected. Human woes usually come as a result of unexpected events against which we are not forearmed. If we are prepared, they can be prevented.
The Six Lines — Complete Commentary
Each line represents a stage in the unfolding situation. A line becomes "changing" when it transforms during divination.
-
Line 1
If you are sincere, but not to the end,
There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together.
If you call out,
Then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again.
Regret not. Going is without blame.
The situation is this: People desire to gather around a leader to whom they look up. But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus they lack a firm center around which to gather. But if expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader. -
Line 2
Letting oneself be drawn Brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere, It furthers one to bring even a small offering.
In the time of GATHERING TOGETHER, we should make no arbitrary choice of the way. There are secret forces at work, leading together those who belong together. We must yield to this attraction; then we make no mistakes. Where inner relationships exist, no great preparations and formalities are necessary. People understand one another forthwith, just as the Divinity graciously accepts a small offering if it comes from the heart. -
Line 3
Gathering together amid sighs.
Nothing that would further.
Going is without blame.
Slight humiliation.
Often a man feels an urge to unite with others, but the individuals around him have already formed themselves into a group, so that he remains isolated. The whole situation proves untenable. Then he ought to choose the way of progress, resolutely allying himself with a man who stands nearer to the center of the group, and can help him to gain admission to the closed circle. This is not a mistake, even though at first his position as an outsider is somewhat humiliating. -
Line 4
Great good fortune. No blame.
This describes a man who gathers people around him in the name of his ruler. Since he is not striving for any special advantages for himself but is working unselfishly to bring about general unity, his work is crowned with success, and everything becomes as it should be. -
Line 5
If in gathering together one has position,
This brings no blame.
If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work,
Sublime and enduring perseverance is needed.
Then remorse disappears.
When people spontaneously gather around a man, it is only a good. It gives him a certain influence that can be altogether useful.. But of course there is also the possibility that many may gather around him not because of a feeling of confidence but merely because of his influential position. This is certainly to be regretted. The only means of dealing with such people is to gain their confidence through steadfastness an intensified, unswerving devotion to duty. In this way secret mistrust will gradually be overcome, and there will be no occasion for regret. -
Line 6
Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears.
No blame.
It may happen that an individual would like to ally himself with another, but his good intentions are misunderstood. Then he becomes sad and laments. But this is the right course. For it may cause the other person to come to his senses, so that the alliance that has been sought and so painfully missed is after all achieved.
♥ Hexagram 45 Bringing Together — Love & Relationships
Hexagram 45, Bringing Together (萃, cuì), carries profound wisdom when applied to romantic relationships, emotional intimacy, partnership, and personal connection. With LAKE above and EARTH below, this hexagram presents a dynamic that speaks directly to how we navigate love matters with wisdom, integrity, and attunement to natural cycles.
In the domain of love, the energy of Bringing Together invites us to examine our current situation through the lens of this hexagram's core teaching. The I Ching is not a static oracle but a dynamic system of wisdom — its guidance shifts in meaning and emphasis depending on the specific life domain we bring to it.
★ Hexagram 45 Bringing Together — Career & Work
Hexagram 45, Bringing Together (萃, cuì), carries profound wisdom when applied to professional life, workplace dynamics, career advancement, and vocation. With LAKE above and EARTH below, this hexagram presents a dynamic that speaks directly to how we navigate career matters with wisdom, integrity, and attunement to natural cycles.
In the domain of career, the energy of Bringing Together invites us to examine our current situation through the lens of this hexagram's core teaching. The I Ching is not a static oracle but a dynamic system of wisdom — its guidance shifts in meaning and emphasis depending on the specific life domain we bring to it.
◆ Hexagram 45 Bringing Together — Money & Finances
Hexagram 45, Bringing Together (萃, cuì), carries profound wisdom when applied to money management, wealth building, financial security, and resource allocation. With LAKE above and EARTH below, this hexagram presents a dynamic that speaks directly to how we navigate finance matters with wisdom, integrity, and attunement to natural cycles.
In the domain of finance, the energy of Bringing Together invites us to examine our current situation through the lens of this hexagram's core teaching. The I Ching is not a static oracle but a dynamic system of wisdom — its guidance shifts in meaning and emphasis depending on the specific life domain we bring to it.
☤ Hexagram 45 Bringing Together — Health & Wellbeing
Hexagram 45, Bringing Together (萃, cuì), carries profound wisdom when applied to physical wellbeing, mental health, vital energy, and body-mind integration. With LAKE above and EARTH below, this hexagram presents a dynamic that speaks directly to how we navigate health matters with wisdom, integrity, and attunement to natural cycles.
In the domain of health, the energy of Bringing Together invites us to examine our current situation through the lens of this hexagram's core teaching. The I Ching is not a static oracle but a dynamic system of wisdom — its guidance shifts in meaning and emphasis depending on the specific life domain we bring to it.
☯ Hexagram 45 Bringing Together — Spiritual Growth
Hexagram 45, Bringing Together (萃, cuì), carries profound wisdom when applied to inner development, contemplative practice, meaning-making, and spiritual growth. With LAKE above and EARTH below, this hexagram presents a dynamic that speaks directly to how we navigate spiritual matters with wisdom, integrity, and attunement to natural cycles.
In the domain of spiritual, the energy of Bringing Together invites us to examine our current situation through the lens of this hexagram's core teaching. The I Ching is not a static oracle but a dynamic system of wisdom — its guidance shifts in meaning and emphasis depending on the specific life domain we bring to it.
△ Hexagram 45 Bringing Together — Business & Strategy
Hexagram 45, Bringing Together (萃, cuì), carries profound wisdom when applied to commerce, entrepreneurship, organizational management, and professional strategy. With LAKE above and EARTH below, this hexagram presents a dynamic that speaks directly to how we navigate business matters with wisdom, integrity, and attunement to natural cycles.
In the domain of business, the energy of Bringing Together invites us to examine our current situation through the lens of this hexagram's core teaching. The I Ching is not a static oracle but a dynamic system of wisdom — its guidance shifts in meaning and emphasis depending on the specific life domain we bring to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 45 Bringing Together mean?
The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that
Is Hexagram 45 a yes or no?
The I Ching does not provide simple yes or no answers. Hexagram 45, Bringing Together, offers guidance about the quality and direction of the current moment. Consult the judgment and image texts above for specific direction relevant to your question.
What are the changing lines in Hexagram 45?
Changing lines indicate points of transformation within your reading. Each of the six lines in Hexagram 45 carries its own meaning — see the complete line commentary above for detailed guidance on each position.
Have a question about this hexagram?
Get a Personalized Bringing Together ReadingSources
- Wilhelm, Richard & Baynes, Cary F. The I Ching or Book of Changes. Princeton University Press, 1950.
- Legge, James. The I Ching: Book of Changes. Dover Publications, 1963.
- Huang, Alfred. The Complete I Ching. Inner Traditions, 1998.
Commentary
The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved. Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader to serve as the center of the group. In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Such great times of unification will leave great achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is no need of great deeds in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER.