Hexagram 11.1 — Peace (First Line)

Original Text & Translation

「拔茅茹，以其彙，征吉。」 — Pulling up thatch grass by the roots; it comes with its kind. Advance brings good fortune.

The image is botanical and social at once. Thatch grass grows in clusters, roots entwined. When you pull one stalk, others rise with it — not by force, but by natural connection. The text suggests that your movement forward is not solitary; you are part of a network of aligned energies. Because you share roots — values, goals, mutual benefit — advancing together is both natural and auspicious.

Core Meaning

Line one sits at the foundation of Hexagram 11, where earth energy meets the rising impulse of heaven descending. Peace arises when higher and lower forces exchange freely. At this first stage, the exchange is intimate and local: you discover that your efforts resonate with others who hold similar principles or complementary strengths. The grass metaphor teaches that true collaboration is organic, not engineered — it emerges from shared soil, shared nourishment, shared conditions.

Practically, this line counsels you to identify and honor your natural allies. Do not try to move mountains alone when others are ready to rise with you. The "征吉" (advance brings good fortune) is conditional: fortune comes because the advance is collective, rooted in mutual support rather than isolated striving. This is the beginning of a harmonious cycle, where small coordinated steps compound into larger stability.

Symbolism & Imagery

The thatch grass (茅) is humble, common, and resilient. It spreads through underground runners, creating networks invisible from above. When you pull one plant, the interconnected root system reveals itself. This symbolizes the hidden bonds that sustain communities, teams, and movements. Peace does not announce itself with fanfare; it grows quietly, beneath the surface, through relationships of trust and reciprocity.

The phrase "以其彙" (with its kind) emphasizes affinity and belonging. You are not gathering random elements; you are recognizing those who already share your ground. This imagery also addresses discernment: not everyone is part of your root cluster. The line encourages you to move with those who naturally align, rather than forcing connections that lack organic foundation. In doing so, your advance is both easier and more enduring.

Action Guidance

Career & Business

• Identify your natural collaborators: look for colleagues, partners, or stakeholders who share your values and vision. These are your "root cluster."
• Advance together: propose initiatives that benefit the group, not just yourself. Collective wins build trust and momentum.
• Communicate shared purpose: articulate the common ground clearly. When everyone understands the "why," coordination becomes effortless.
• Leverage complementary strengths: recognize that others bring skills or perspectives you lack. Intertwined roots are stronger than single stalks.
• Move with confidence: because you are not alone, you can take bolder steps. The line says "advance brings good fortune" — act on opportunities that serve the collective.
• Avoid solo heroics: this is not the time for lone-wolf strategies. Your power multiplies through alliance.

Love & Relationships

• Recognize shared foundations: notice where you and your partner (or potential partner) naturally align — values, rhythms, long-term visions.
• Move forward together: make decisions as a unit. Discuss next steps openly and ensure both feel included in the direction.
• Celebrate mutual support: acknowledge the ways you lift each other. Peace grows when both parties feel seen and valued.
• Invite others into your circle: if you are building a relationship, integrate friends, family, or community. Healthy bonds are not isolated; they connect to wider networks.
• Trust organic timing: just as roots intertwine naturally, let intimacy deepen without force. The line favors natural progression over manufactured intensity.
• Avoid competition: this is not a time for power struggles. The fortune of this line comes from harmony, not dominance.

Health & Inner Work

• Join supportive communities: find groups, classes, or accountability partners who share your health goals. Collective energy sustains individual effort.
• Align body and mind: practices that integrate physical, mental, and emotional health (yoga, tai chi, mindful movement) embody the "roots together" principle.
• Build consistent routines: small, daily habits intertwine like roots. Stack practices that support each other (sleep hygiene + morning movement + hydration).
• Seek holistic care: work with practitioners who see you as a whole system, not isolated symptoms. Integrated approaches reflect the Peace hexagram's harmony.
• Trust gradual progress: health improvements compound over time. The first line teaches that early, aligned steps lead to stable gains.
• Share your journey: talk about your practices with friends or online communities. Mutual encouragement strengthens commitment.

Finance & Strategy

• Form strategic partnerships: look for co-investors, collaborators, or advisors whose interests align with yours. Pooled resources and shared risk create stability.
• Diversify with coherence: build a portfolio where assets support each other (e.g., income-generating + growth + hedges). Think "root cluster," not random scatter.
• Advance on solid ground: the line favors moving forward, but only when your foundation is secure. Ensure cash flow, legal clarity, and team alignment before scaling.
• Leverage network effects: invest in platforms, communities, or ecosystems where value compounds through participation. The "pulling roots together" dynamic applies to markets and networks.
• Communicate transparently: in partnerships or ventures, clarity about goals and roles prevents friction. Shared understanding is the root system.
• Act decisively: "advance brings good fortune" means this is a time to commit, not hesitate. Trust your preparation and your allies.

Timing, Signals, and Readiness

The first line of Peace marks an early, favorable phase. The conditions for harmony are present, and small coordinated actions can gain traction quickly. You will know you are in alignment with this line when you notice natural support appearing around you — people offering help, resources becoming available, opportunities opening without excessive struggle. These are signs that you share roots with the right forces.

Conversely, if you feel isolated, if every step requires exhausting persuasion, or if allies seem absent, you may need to reassess your direction or your network. The line does not promise that everything will be easy, but it does promise that you will not be alone. If you are alone, you may not yet be pulling on the right roots. Seek those who share your soil, and advance will become natural and auspicious.

When This Line Moves

A moving first line in Hexagram 11 often signals a shift from initial alliance-building to a more complex or dynamic phase. The change hexagram (determined by your casting method) will show what emerges as your collective advance continues. Generally, the movement suggests that your early harmonious steps are setting the stage for larger developments — new challenges, broader collaborations, or deeper integration of the forces you have gathered.

Practical takeaway: do not rest on the initial good fortune. Use the momentum of shared advance to build structures, agreements, or systems that can sustain the harmony as it scales. The roots you pull together now need soil, water, and sunlight to flourish long-term. Transition from informal alliance to intentional coordination — formalize roles, clarify commitments, and celebrate early wins to reinforce the bond.

Concise Summary

Hexagram 11.1 teaches that peace begins with recognizing natural allies and moving forward together. Like thatch grass pulled by its roots, you do not advance alone; those who share your foundation rise with you. This collective momentum is both organic and auspicious. Advance with confidence, honor your shared ground, and trust that coordinated steps compound into lasting harmony. The line favors action taken in concert with aligned forces — this is the fertile soil from which enduring peace grows.