Hexagram 7
Military, leadership, discipline and people
The core of the Shi hexagram is about the use of power. It tells us that power itself is neither good nor evil, but the motivation, leaders, and organizational discipline of using power determine whether this power ultimately brings construction or destruction.
Trigram Structure
䷆, Kun above, Kan below
Palace：坎
Key Themes
Military, leadership, discipline and people
The core of the Shi hexagram is about the use of power. It tells us that power itself is neither good nor evil, but the motivation, leaders, and organizational discipline of using power determine whether this power ultimately brings construction or destruction.
Shi: Zhen, the father-in-law is auspicious, and there is no blame.
Groundwater, aquifers, earth carrying rivers.
Commander's seal, military token, a complete set of rules and regulations, organizational chart
The core of the Shi hexagram is about the use of power. It tells us that power itself is neither good nor evil, but the motivation, leaders, and organizational discipline of using power determine whether this power ultimately brings construction or destruction.
If the teacher comes out with the law, he will be in trouble.
Guidance
Action must have just cause and strict discipline; otherwise it will fail.
Modern Insight
This is the iron law of any team action. Whether it's a company or a project team, before starting action, clear rules and division of labor (law) must be established first. Without rules, there is no order. A team lacking discipline will only be a scattered force, destined to fail.
In the division, good luck, no blame, Wang Sanxi Ming.
Guidance
The commander should go deep into the team, understand the will of the people, and can gain the king's appreciation.
Modern Insight
This is the ideal leader! This is the only yang line in the entire hexagram, representing the sole commander. He does not issue orders from on high, but goes deep into the team's core (in the division), sharing weal and woe with the members. Such a leader naturally wins hearts and gains the absolute trust and support of superiors (the king).
A teacher or a corpse is unlucky.
Guidance
Improper command, scattered morale, danger of failure.
Modern Insight
This warns that there may be unqualified leaders or decision-makers in the team. When leadership ability is insufficient, or there are multiple voices giving orders, the team will be like a chariot carrying a corpse, heading toward failure. This reminds us that we must be vigilant about those in the team who lack ability but hold high positions.
Master Zuo Ci, no fault.
Guidance
Assess the situation, retreat at the right time; this is wise, and there is no fault.
Modern Insight
War is not about charging blindly. This is the highest wisdom—knowing strategic retreat. When the situation is unfavorable or the timing is wrong, temporarily retreat, preserve strength, and redeploy. This is by no means cowardice, but wisdom, for the sake of ultimate victory.
There are poultry in the field, and there is no fault in speaking. The eldest son is a handsome teacher, and his disciples are responsible for the corpse. He is chaste and fierce.
Guidance
When there are improper actions, they should be struck, otherwise trouble will remain.
Modern Insight
When the team faces external challenges (poultry in the field), orders must be unified (benefit from speaking). The most taboo is multiple leadership with unclear authority and responsibility (the metaphor of eldest son and disciples). A team can only have one final decision-maker; otherwise, the interior will collapse due to confused orders.
The great king has a destiny to found the country and inherit the family, but the villain should not use it.
Guidance
Reward according to merit; villains should not be reused, to avoid future trouble.
Modern Insight
This is the wisdom after victory. The war ends, rewards are given according to merit, to establish new foundations. But more important is clear rewards and punishments, and knowing how to use people well. Never relax vigilance because of victory, and give important positions to those villains who speculated during difficult times and came to claim credit after victory. Otherwise, they will corrode the fruits of victory and plant new seeds of trouble.
