Hexagram 12, line 4
九四Line 4 of Blockage
Nine in the fourth place · 否 pǐ
爻辭 The line text
有命，无咎，疇離祉。The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject acting in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.
有命无咎，志行也。'He acts in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and commits no error:'—the purpose of his mind can be carried into effect.
In plain words
Line four is the first strong line, the point where the hexagram turns from the three yins of obstruction to the three yangs that will end it: 'there is a mandate; no blame; the companions attach to the blessing.' Strong in a soft place, it is not yet the ruler but acts under the ruler's command — the 命 comes from five above — and so it can begin to do something without presumption. Its companions, the other strong lines, share in the good that follows. The small Image says 'the aim is carried out' (志行也): at the midpoint of a blocked time, action becomes possible again, provided it is authorised rather than self-willed.
If this line is changing
The standstill is beginning to break; act, but under a clear mandate from above rather than on your own authority, and share what comes of it with those who stood with you.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
- It belongs to the upper trigram 乾 Qian (the Creative) (heaven).
- It corresponds (應) with line 1: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.
之卦 When this line moves
否 Blockage becomes ䷓ 20 觀 Observation
Wind over the earth: a tower from which all is seen, and which all can see. Observe deeply before acting, and remember that you are watched — sincerity even before the offering is made.
What it becomes20 · 觀 ObservationguānThe six lines of 否 Blockage
- 初六Six at the beginninggrass with its roots · withdraw together · loyal aim
- 六二Six in the second placebearing and obeying · great man accepts · not joining the herd
- 六三Six in the third placeshame harboured · wrong place · hidden motive
- 九四Nine in the fourth placea mandate · no blame · companions share the blessing
- 九五Nine in the fifth placeending obstruction · it may perish! · bound to the mulberry
- 上九Nine at the topobstruction overturned · first blocked, then joy · cannot last
Read 否 Blockage for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine in the fourth place of hexagram 12, Blockage, mean?
- Line four is the first strong line, the point where the hexagram turns from the three yins of obstruction to the three yangs that will end it: 'there is a mandate; no blame; the companions attach to the blessing.' Strong in a soft place, it is not yet the ruler but acts under the ruler's command — the 命 comes from five above — and so it can begin to do something without presumption. Its companions, the other strong lines, share in the good that follows. The small Image says 'the aim is carried out' (志行也): at the midpoint of a blocked time, action becomes possible again, provided it is authorised rather than self-willed.
- What does hexagram 12 become when line 4 changes?
- Blockage becomes hexagram 20, 觀 Observation: Wind over the earth: a tower from which all is seen, and which all can see. Observe deeply before acting, and remember that you are watched — sincerity even before the offering is made.
- Is line 4 of Blockage in its correct place?
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).