Hexagram 11: Peace (泰 Tài) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 11 (泰 Peace)?

I Ching Hexagram 11, 泰 (Tài), represents Peace. It is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Heaven (乾 Qián) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 11 mean?

The Image states: 'Heaven and earth unite: the image of Peace. Thus the ruler divides and completes the course of heaven and earth; he furthers and regulates the gifts of heaven and earth, and so aids the people.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 11 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how Peace manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 11 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 11 (Peace) follows Hexagram 10 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

泰

Tài — Hexagram 11

Peace

Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Heaven (乾 Qián) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 11, 泰 (Tài), represents Peace. Formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Heaven (乾 Qián) below, this hexagram teaches about peace. The core message: Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 11 is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Heaven (乾 Qián) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving

The Judgment

Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success.

— I Ching, Peace

The Image

Heaven and earth unite: the image of Peace. Thus the ruler divides and completes the course of heaven and earth; he furthers and regulates the gifts of heaven and earth, and so aids the people.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the turf comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.

Line 2: Line 2: Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness, fording the river with resolution, not neglecting what is distant, not regarding one's companions: thus one may manage to walk in the middle.

Line 3: Line 3: No plain not followed by a slope. No going not followed by a return. He who remains persevering in danger is without blame. Do not complain about this truth; enjoy the good fortune you still possess.

Line 4: Line 4: He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth, together with his neighbor, guileless and sincere.

Line 5: Line 5: The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. This brings blessing and supreme good fortune.

Line 6: Line 6: The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.

Modern Application

Hexagram 11 represents the ideal state of harmony between heaven and earth, between the great and the small. Earth above and Heaven below — this reversal of their natural positions allows their energies to intermingle and create life. Peace is not static; it is a dynamic equilibrium that requires constant attention. The hexagram warns that all peaks are followed by valleys, and advises enjoying good fortune while it lasts without complacency. In modern life, Peace describes periods of flow, successful collaborations, and the alignment of circumstances with effort. It reminds us that peace is not the absence of tension but the productive harmony of complementary forces.

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