Hexagram 7: The Army (師 Shī) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 7 (師 The Army)?

I Ching Hexagram 7, 師 (Shī), represents The Army. It is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 7 mean?

The Image states: 'In the middle of the earth is water: the image of the Army. Thus the superior man increases his masses by generosity toward 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 7 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 The Army 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 7 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 7 (The Army) follows Hexagram 6 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

師

Shī — Hexagram 7

The Army

Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 7, 師 (Shī), represents The Army. Formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below, this hexagram teaches about the army. The core message: The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 7 is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) 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

The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame.

— I Ching, The Army

The Image

In the middle of the earth is water: the image of the Army. Thus the superior man increases his masses by generosity toward the people.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: An army must set forth in proper order. If the order is not good, misfortune threatens.

Line 2: Line 2: In the midst of the army. Good fortune and no blame. The king bestows a triple decoration.

Line 3: Line 3: Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune.

Line 4: Line 4: The army retreats. No blame.

Line 5: Line 5: There is game in the field. It furthers one to catch it. Without blame. Let the eldest lead the army. The younger transports corpses; then perseverance brings misfortune.

Line 6: Line 6: The great prince issues commands, founds states, vests families with fiefs. Inferior people should not be employed.

Modern Application

Hexagram 7 addresses the organization of collective action — whether military, corporate, or social. The key insight is that mass action requires discipline, clear hierarchy, and a just cause. Water hidden within Earth represents the people's strength stored and organized underground. The hexagram distinguishes between righteous force (disciplined, purposeful) and mob violence (chaotic, corpse-carrying). In modern life, the Army applies to team management, organizational leadership, and mobilizing resources for a common goal. It emphasizes that the leader's first duty is to win the people's loyalty through generosity.

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