13. T´ung Jen

	Companionship
	Upper Trigram:	Ch'ien, Creative Principle, Heaven
	Lower Trigram:	Li, Clinging Brightness, Fire
	Governing Rulers:	Six in the second place Nine in the fifth place

The Image
The trigrams for heaven and fire form T'ung Jen, the image of companionship. The superior man, in accordance with this, distinguishes things according to their kinds and classes.

Miscellaneous Signs
Ta Yu adhering multitudes can show; T'ung Jen reflects their warm affection's glow.

The Judgement
T'ung Jen, union of men, appears here, as we find it, in the remote districts of the country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to maintain the firm correctness of the superior man.

Commentary
In T'ung Jen the weak line has the place of influence, the central place, and responds to the corresponding line in Ch'ien above; hence comes the name of T'ung Jen, or 'Union of men'. The words "T'ung Jen, union of men, appears here, as we find it, in the remote districts of the country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream", are moulded by their containing the strength of Ch'ien.
We have the trigram for elegance and intelligence, supported by that indicating strength, with the yin-line in its central and correct position, and responding to the corresponding line above: all representing the correct course of the superior man. It is only the superior man who can comprehend and affect the minds of all under the sky.

The Lines and commentaries
Bottom nine
Showing the representative of the union of men just issuing from his gate. There will be no error.

'The representative of the union of men is just issuing from his gate': Who will blame him?

Six in the second place
Showing the representative of the union of men in relation only with his kindred. There will be regret.

'The representative of the union of men appears in relation only with his kindred': that is the path to regret.

Nine in the third place
Showing its subject with his arms hidden in the thick grass, and at the top of a high mound. But for three years he makes no demonstration.

He hides his arms in the thick grass': because of the strength of his opponent. 'For three years he makes no demonstration': how can he do anything?

Nine in the fourth place
Showing its subject mounted on the city wall, contemplating, but not proceeding to make the attack. There will be good fortune.

He is mounted on his city wall'; but yielding to the right. 'Contemplating, but not proceeding to make the attack; there will be good fortune': he feels the strait he is in, and returns to the rule of law.

Nine in the fifth place
The union of men first wails and cries out, then laughs. Its subject's great army conquers, and he and the subject of the second line meet together.

See also: Ta Chuan - Section 1, Chapter VIII-6.

The first action of the union of men, here described, arises from its straightforward character and the line's central position. 'The meeting secured by his great army', intimates that its opponents have been overcome.

Top-most nine
The union of men in the suburbs. There will be no occasion for repentance.

'The union of men appears in the suburbs': its object has not yet been attained.