Hexagram 11, line 1
初九Line 1 of Prosperity
Nine at the beginning · 泰 tài
爻辭 The line text
拔茅茹，以其彙，征吉。The first line, undivided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. Advance (on the part of its subject) will be fortunate.
拔茅征吉，志在外也。'The good fortune of advance, (as suggested by the emblem of) the grass pulled up,' arises from the will (of the party intended) being set on what is external to himself.
In plain words
The first line 'pulls up grass and the roots come with it, each with its kind; to advance brings good fortune.' Tai is three strong lines below rising to meet three yielding lines above, and at the bottom the first yang does not go alone — like couch grass, one stalk pulled brings the whole mat. Strong in a strong place, it corresponds with the yin at four, and the small Image says its aim is 'set on what is outside' (志在外也): the lower trigram's whole will is to go up and meet the upper. This is the opening of a time of communication, and the right move is to advance with one's own kind.
If this line is changing
Move forward now and bring your own people with you; at the beginning of a good time the right step is taken together, not alone.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is in its correct place (當位): a yang line in an odd position or a yin line in an even one, which the tradition reads as a line at ease where it stands.
- It belongs to the lower trigram 乾 Qian (the Creative) (heaven).
- It corresponds (應) with line 4: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.
之卦 When this line moves
泰 Prosperity becomes ䷭ 46 升 Ascending
Wood growing within the earth: ascending. Supreme success; see the great man; a march to the south brings good fortune — growth by steady, unforced effort.
What it becomes46 · 升 AscendingshēngThe six lines of 泰 Prosperity
- 初九Nine at the beginninggrass with its roots · rising together · aim outward
- 九二Nine in the second placebearing the rough · fording the river · no cliques
- 九三Nine in the third placeno plain without slope · the turning point · enjoy with care
- 六四Six in the fourth placefluttering down · not rich · sincere neighbours
- 六五Six in the fifth placeDi Yi marries his sister · ruler humbles himself · central wish
- 上六Six at the topwall into the moat · do not use force · orders in disorder
Read 泰 Prosperity for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine at the beginning of hexagram 11, Prosperity, mean?
- The first line 'pulls up grass and the roots come with it, each with its kind; to advance brings good fortune.' Tai is three strong lines below rising to meet three yielding lines above, and at the bottom the first yang does not go alone — like couch grass, one stalk pulled brings the whole mat. Strong in a strong place, it corresponds with the yin at four, and the small Image says its aim is 'set on what is outside' (志在外也): the lower trigram's whole will is to go up and meet the upper. This is the opening of a time of communication, and the right move is to advance with one's own kind.
- What does hexagram 11 become when line 1 changes?
- Prosperity becomes hexagram 46, 升 Ascending: Wood growing within the earth: ascending. Supreme success; see the great man; a march to the south brings good fortune — growth by steady, unforced effort.
- Is line 1 of Prosperity in its correct place?
- It is in its correct place (當位): a yang line in an odd position or a yin line in an even one, which the tradition reads as a line at ease where it stands.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).