Hexagram 45: Gathering Together (Massing) (萃 Cuì) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 45 (萃 Gathering Together (Massing))?

I Ching Hexagram 45, 萃 (Cuì), represents Gathering Together (Massing). It is formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Earth (坤 Kūn) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Gathering Together. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It further...'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 45 mean?

The Image states: 'Over the earth, the lake: the image of Gathering Together. Thus the superior man renews his weapons in order to meet the unforeseen.' 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 45 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 Gathering Together (Massing) 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 45 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 45 (Gathering Together (Massing)) follows Hexagram 44 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

萃

Cuì — Hexagram 45

Gathering Together (Massing)

Lake (兌 Duì) above, Earth (坤 Kūn) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 45, 萃 (Cuì), represents Gathering Together (Massing). Formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Earth (坤 Kūn) below, this hexagram teaches about gathering together (massing). The core message: Gathering Together. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It further.

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 45 is formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Earth (坤 Kūn) 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

Gathering Together. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something.

— I Ching, Gathering Together (Massing)

The Image

Over the earth, the lake: the image of Gathering Together. Thus the superior man renews his weapons in order to meet the unforeseen.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: If you are sincere, but not to the end, there will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out, then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.

Line 2: Line 2: Letting oneself be drawn brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering.

Line 3: Line 3: Gathering together amid sighs. Nothing that would further. Going is without blame. Slight humiliation.

Line 4: Line 4: Great good fortune. No blame.

Line 5: Line 5: If in gathering together one has position, this brings no blame. If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work, sublime and enduring perseverance is needed. Then remorse disappears.

Line 6: Line 6: Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears. No blame.

Modern Application

Hexagram 45 describes the formation of communities around a shared center. The lake gathering above the earth represents water collecting naturally in a low place — people gather where they are welcomed. The king approaching the temple is the image of leadership drawing people together for a sacred purpose. The hexagram teaches that gathering requires sincerity, a worthy center, and preparation (renewing weapons for the unforeseen). In modern terms, Gathering Together applies to community organizing, team formation, religious or cultural gatherings, and the art of creating spaces where people want to come together.

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