Hexagram 13: Fellowship
同人Tóng Rén
Common ground, out in the open.
The passages below are historical language. Their references to fortune, danger, and the exemplary person belong to the text’s world. Our modern explanation is an invitation to reflect on your situation.
The Judgment
Classical Chinese
同人。 同人於野，亨。利涉大川，利君子貞。
Our English rendering
Fellowship. Fellowship in the open country brings success. Crossing the great river is favorable. The steadfastness of a person of integrity is favorable.
The Image
Classical Chinese
象曰：天與火，同人;君子以類族辨物。
Our English rendering
Heaven and fire: Fellowship. A person of integrity therefore sorts clans by kind and distinguishes things.
Translation note: 'Clans' retains zu, a kinship and social grouping in the historical text. The Image concerns classification and distinction; a modern claim of universal equality has not been inserted into it.
A modern reading
Fellowship takes place in the open country, with a great river crossing named as a possible undertaking. The setting gives people room to meet beyond a single enclosed household. A contemporary reflection can look at what allows cooperation to extend beyond familiar company. A purpose that can be stated openly gives others a chance to assess it, contribute to it, and decide whether the proposed crossing is one they are prepared to share.
The Image places fire with heaven and then turns to distinctions among clans and things. Shared action still involves knowing who is present and how their contributions differ. Its clan language belongs to the source's historical social order. For a present undertaking, examine whether a common purpose is clear enough to accommodate different roles. Recognizing those roles can help you make practical agreements about the work that each participant is willing and able to carry.
A question to sit with
What shared purpose could you state openly to people beyond your usual circle?
Source and method
The Judgment and Image are classical passages from the Book of Changes. The English rendering and modern explanation are Meow Ching’s editorial work. This page covers these two passages; it does not translate the six individual line texts.
Read the classical text on Wikisource · Our sources and method