Hexagram 8 · Holding Together

比 · Bǐ

Hexagram 8, Holding Together (比, Bǐ), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Earth below and Water above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “吉。原筮，元永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with union, alliance and mutual support. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Earth (坤) — receptivity and support
Upper trigram: Water (坎) — depth, danger and constancy in flow
Symbol: ䷇ · Name: 比 (Bǐ) · Number: 8 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   有孚比之，无咎；有孚盈缶，终来有它，吉。
   The Image says: 比之初六，有它吉也。
2. 六二 (六二)
   比之自内，贞吉。
   The Image says: “比之自内”，不自失也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   比之匪人。
   The Image says: “比之匪人”，不亦伤乎！
4. 六四 (六四)
   外比之，贞吉。
   The Image says: “外比”于贤，以从上也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   显比；王用三驱，失前禽。邑人不诫，吉。
   The Image says: “显比”之吉，位正中也。舍逆取顺，“失前禽”也。“邑人不诫”，上使中也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   比之无首，凶。
   The Image says: “比之无首”，无所终也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 8?

Hexagram 8 is Holding Together (比, Bǐ), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Earth below and Water above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Holding Together?

The judgment of Holding Together reads, in the Chinese original: “吉。原筮，元永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。”. Its Great Image reads: “地上有水，比。先王以建万国，亲诸侯。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Holding Together symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Holding Together is associated with union, alliance and mutual support. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.