I Ching Hexagrams
Hexagram 13 · Heaven above, Fire below

Fellowship 同人

Tóng Rén
communityopennesssolidarityshared goal

Fellowship is a union formed in the open, around a shared aim. Be honest, avoid closed circles and bring different people together fairly.

Judgment

Fellowship with people in the open brings success. Crossing the great river is favorable. The perseverance of the wise person is favorable.

Image

Heaven is together with fire; this is the picture of fellowship. The wise person organizes communities and tells things apart.

What does Fellowship mean?

Heaven is above, and fire also rises upward. Both move in the same direction. This is a situation where people come together for a common goal and treat each other openly and honestly. It is a union built in the open, in front of everyone, not behind closed doors. Fire gives light and makes everything visible. Here, too, the union is strong because there is nothing to hide.

A fellowship like this cannot rest on small interests or secret alliances. If you shut yourself up only with your own circle, your family or your group, the union narrows and brings shame. Real solidarity brings different people together around a shared value. This does not mean mixing everything together but seeing clearly each person's place and role. If there is mistrust or hidden calculation inside you, face it. When you act openly, even if you go through hardship for a while, the right people find you in the end. Then it becomes possible to achieve great things together and to cross the great river. Differences do not weaken a union; handled well, they enrich it. Let everyone bring their own contribution to the common table.

What to do now

Open your door and meet people on open, honest ground.

Love and relationships

Openness and friendship are a strong base for the relationship. Secrets and hidden expectations weaken the bond; speaking openly strengthens it. Your circle of friends can add value to your life together.

Work and money

A good period for teamwork, partnerships and community projects. Stay away from favoritism and treat everyone fairly. Bring different talents together around a shared goal.

The lines

If a line changed (red) in your reading, read only that line. Lines are counted from the bottom up.

  1. First line

    Fellowship at the gate. A union that begins in front of everyone, without discrimination, is blameless.

  2. Second line

    Fellowship within the clan. Shutting yourself up with your own circle is narrow-minded and brings shame.

  3. Third line

    He hides his weapons in the thicket, climbs a high hill and does not rise for three years. Mistrust and hidden intent break the fellowship.

  4. Fourth line

    He climbs onto the city wall but cannot attack. Seeing that the conflict is pointless and letting it go brings good fortune.

  5. Fifth line

    First they weep and lament, then they laugh. People who were separated find each other again after great hardship.

  6. Top line

    Fellowship in the meadow. Even if full union with everyone cannot be reached, there is no regret.

Trigrams

Upper trigramHeaven 乾
creative, strong
Lower trigramFire 離
clinging, bright

Related hexagrams

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