Hexagram 13
Fellowship with Men
同人 (Tóng Rén)
Heaven over Fire
Hexagram 13 represents fellowship, community, and harmonious relationships among people united by common goals and shared values. This hexagram symbolizes the power of collaboration and the strength that emerges when individuals come together in genuine partnership. The image shows fire rising toward heaven, representing clarity of purpose and the illuminating force of human connection. Fellowship with Men teaches that true unity transcends personal interests and creates bonds based on universal principles, mutual respect, and collective vision. Success comes through openness, sincerity, and the willingness to work together toward shared objectives that benefit all.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Fellowship with men in the open. Success. It furthers one to cross the great water. The perseverance of the superior man furthers."
Hexagram 13 reveals the profound power of authentic fellowship and community built on shared principles rather than narrow self-interest. The phrase "fellowship in the open" emphasizes that true unity must be transparent, inclusive, and based on universal values accessible to all. This is not about exclusive clubs or private alliances, but rather about bringing people together in broad daylight where intentions are clear and purposes are noble. When fellowship is established on such foundations, it creates tremendous strength and enables groups to accomplish what individuals never could alone. The hexagram promises success when people unite with sincerity and openness of heart.
The reference to crossing great waters indicates that genuine fellowship provides the strength and support needed to undertake challenging endeavors and navigate difficult circumstances. When people stand together with shared commitment and mutual trust, obstacles that would overwhelm an individual become manageable through collective effort and pooled resources. The superior person understands that perseverance in maintaining these bonds of fellowship, even when tested by adversity or tempted by personal gain, is what ultimately leads to lasting achievement and meaningful success for all involved.
The Image (大象传)
君子以类族辨物。
Translation: "Heaven together with fire: the image of Fellowship with Men. Thus the superior man organizes the clans and makes distinctions between things."
The image of heaven and fire together creates a powerful symbol of fellowship and unity. Fire naturally rises toward heaven, representing the human aspiration to connect with higher principles and universal truths. Just as fire illuminates and brings warmth to all within its reach without discrimination, true fellowship extends its benefits broadly and inclusively. The superior person observes this natural harmony and learns to create order within community by recognizing both what unites people and what distinguishes them. This is not about creating rigid hierarchies or exclusive divisions, but rather about understanding the natural affinities and complementary differences that allow diverse individuals to work together effectively.
By organizing clans and making distinctions, the wise leader creates structure that honors both unity and diversity. This means recognizing that while all people share fundamental humanity and can unite around common values, they also bring unique talents, perspectives, and roles to the collective endeavor. Effective fellowship requires this balance between recognizing our shared ground and appreciating our differences, allowing each person to contribute their particular strengths while working toward goals that benefit everyone.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"Fellowship with men at the gate. No blame."
This line represents the initial stage of forming fellowship, where openness and accessibility are paramount. Meeting people at the gate symbolizes welcoming others without prejudice or hidden agendas. At this beginning stage, keep your intentions transparent and your associations broad. Avoid forming exclusive cliques or limiting your fellowship to only those who immediately benefit you. By maintaining openness from the start, you establish healthy patterns for future collaboration and avoid the complications that arise from secretive or self-serving alliances.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"Fellowship with men in the clan. Humiliation."
This line warns against limiting fellowship to only your own group, family, or those most similar to you. While natural affinity with one's own kind is understandable, restricting your associations too narrowly leads to missed opportunities and eventual embarrassment. True fellowship requires reaching beyond comfortable boundaries and familiar circles. When you confine yourself to clan or clique, you demonstrate a lack of vision and courage that ultimately limits your effectiveness and influence. Expand your circle and embrace broader connections based on shared values rather than mere familiarity.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"He hides weapons in the thicket; he climbs the high hill in front of it. For three years he does not rise up."
This line reveals a situation where mistrust and suspicion poison fellowship. Hiding weapons and taking defensive positions indicates that genuine partnership has been replaced by strategic maneuvering and fear. When people approach fellowship with hidden agendas or prepare for conflict even while professing unity, progress becomes impossible. The three years of inaction represent the stagnation that results from this lack of authentic trust. Abandon defensive postures and secretive preparations. True fellowship requires vulnerability and genuine openness, not strategic positioning.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"He climbs up on his wall; he cannot attack. Good fortune."
This line represents a turning point where conflict is considered but ultimately avoided. Climbing the wall suggests preparation for attack, but the inability to follow through indicates a recognition that aggression would be wrong or counterproductive. This restraint brings good fortune because it preserves the possibility of fellowship. When tensions arise within community or partnership, resist the impulse to attack or dominate others. The wisdom to recognize when conflict would be destructive and to choose restraint instead opens the door to reconciliation and renewed cooperation.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"Men bound in fellowship first weep and lament, but afterward they laugh. After great struggles they succeed in meeting."
The ruler's line describes the emotional journey of achieving true fellowship through difficulty. Initial separation and obstacles cause grief and frustration, but perseverance through these challenges leads to joyful reunion and successful collaboration. Great struggles test the sincerity of fellowship, burning away superficial connections while strengthening genuine bonds. When you face difficulties in building or maintaining fellowship, understand that these trials serve a purpose. Those who persist through challenges and remain committed to unity will ultimately experience the deep satisfaction of authentic connection and shared triumph.
Nine at the Top (上九)
Top line - Yang
"Fellowship with men in the meadow. No remorse."
The top line represents fellowship that, while not achieving complete unity, remains free from regret because it is based on honest intentions and realistic expectations. Meeting in the meadow, outside the city, suggests fellowship that is somewhat removed from the center of action but still genuine and valuable. Not all partnerships achieve perfect harmony or complete success, but when approached with sincerity and without forcing outcomes, they leave no cause for regret. Accept that some fellowships have natural limitations while still appreciating their value and maintaining integrity in your participation.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of love and romance, hexagram 13 emphasizes the importance of building relationships on shared values and common vision rather than mere attraction or convenience. True partnership requires that both individuals unite around principles larger than themselves, creating a bond that serves not only their mutual happiness but also contributes positively to the broader community. This hexagram suggests that the most fulfilling relationships are those where partners support each other's growth while working together toward meaningful goals. Avoid relationships based solely on exclusivity or possessiveness, as these create isolation rather than genuine connection.
For those seeking love, hexagram 13 advises looking for partners in open, public settings where people gather around shared interests and activities. Authentic connection develops naturally when you engage with others who share your values and aspirations. Be transparent about your intentions and open to diverse possibilities rather than limiting yourself to a narrow type or predetermined criteria. The best relationships often emerge from friendships and collaborations built on mutual respect and common purpose, where romantic feelings develop within a context of genuine fellowship and shared endeavor.
In established relationships, this hexagram calls for maintaining openness and avoiding the tendency to become an isolated couple cut off from broader community. Healthy partnerships thrive when both individuals maintain connections with friends, family, and community while also nurturing their bond with each other. Support your partner's friendships and social connections rather than demanding exclusive attention. Engage together in activities that serve others and contribute to your community. This outward focus strengthens rather than weakens your relationship, providing shared meaning and preventing the stagnation that comes from excessive inward focus.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 13 signals an excellent time for collaboration, team building, and forming strategic partnerships based on shared vision and complementary strengths. Success in your career now depends on your ability to work effectively with others, building alliances that transcend narrow self-interest and serve larger organizational or industry goals. This is not the time for solo efforts or competitive individualism, but rather for recognizing that your advancement is tied to collective success. Seek out colleagues and partners who share your professional values and commitment to excellence, and invest energy in building genuine working relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this hexagram emphasizes the importance of creating organizational culture based on fellowship and shared purpose rather than mere hierarchy or financial incentives. Build teams united by common vision and values, where each member feels genuinely connected to the mission and to one another. Foster transparency and open communication, avoiding secretive decision-making or exclusive inner circles that breed resentment and mistrust. When employees experience authentic fellowship and feel part of something meaningful, they contribute their best efforts and remain loyal through challenges. Your business success depends on creating this sense of genuine community and shared endeavor.
In established careers, focus on building your professional network through authentic engagement rather than transactional networking. Attend industry events and join professional organizations not merely to collect contacts but to genuinely connect with others who share your professional interests and values. Offer help and support to colleagues without immediate expectation of return, trusting that genuine fellowship creates opportunities organically. Collaborate on projects that allow you to contribute your unique strengths while learning from others. Your career advancement will come through the relationships you build and the reputation you establish as someone who values collaboration and contributes to collective success.
Health & Wellness (健康)
In health matters, hexagram 13 emphasizes the powerful connection between social fellowship and physical wellbeing. Your health improves significantly when you engage regularly with supportive communities and maintain strong social connections. Join group fitness classes, walking clubs, or sports teams where you can pursue wellness goals alongside others who share your commitment to health. The combination of social support and shared activity creates motivation and accountability that individual efforts often lack. Isolation and loneliness undermine health, while genuine fellowship with others provides emotional sustenance that supports physical vitality and resilience against illness.
For those recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions, seek out support groups and communities of others facing similar health challenges. The fellowship of shared experience provides both practical knowledge and emotional encouragement that accelerates healing and improves quality of life. Don't try to manage health challenges alone when communities exist that can offer understanding, advice, and companionship. Share your own experiences and insights with others, as contributing to the wellbeing of fellow community members enhances your own healing process. The mutual support of authentic fellowship creates healing energy that benefits everyone involved.
Mental and emotional health particularly benefit from the fellowship emphasized in this hexagram. Combat stress, anxiety, and depression by maintaining regular social connections and participating in community activities that provide meaning and purpose beyond yourself. Volunteer for causes you care about, join clubs or groups aligned with your interests, and make time for regular social engagement with friends and family. The sense of belonging and contribution that comes from genuine fellowship provides psychological resilience and emotional stability that individual self-care practices alone cannot achieve. Your mental health thrives when you feel connected to others and part of something larger than yourself.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 13 indicates that prosperity comes through collaborative ventures and partnerships rather than solo endeavors. This is an excellent time to pool resources with others who share your financial goals and values, whether through investment clubs, business partnerships, or cooperative ventures. The key is ensuring that these financial fellowships are based on transparent agreements and shared principles rather than mere opportunism. When people unite around common financial objectives with clear communication and mutual trust, they can achieve prosperity that benefits all participants. Avoid secretive financial dealings or partnerships where motives are unclear or misaligned.
For investors and those building wealth, consider the power of collective investment strategies and the wisdom available through financial communities and advisory groups. Join investment clubs or educational groups where members share knowledge, research, and insights about financial opportunities. The collective intelligence and diverse perspectives of a well-functioning financial fellowship often identify opportunities and avoid pitfalls that individual investors miss. However, maintain your own judgment and don't blindly follow group consensus. The goal is to benefit from shared knowledge while making decisions aligned with your own financial situation and risk tolerance.
In business finance, this hexagram favors partnerships and collaborative funding arrangements over going it alone. Seek investors or partners who share your vision and values, not just those offering the most money or easiest terms. Financial partnerships built on genuine fellowship and aligned interests prove more stable and successful than those based purely on financial calculation. Be transparent about your financial situation and expectations, and choose partners who reciprocate this openness. The trust and mutual support of authentic financial fellowship provides resilience during economic challenges and enables you to capitalize on opportunities that require resources beyond what you possess individually.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 13 reveals that personal growth accelerates dramatically when pursued within the context of community and fellowship rather than in isolation. While individual reflection and self-work have value, transformation deepens when you engage with others on similar growth journeys, sharing insights, challenges, and breakthroughs. Join study groups, attend workshops and retreats, or participate in spiritual communities where people gather around shared commitment to personal development. The fellowship of fellow seekers provides both support during difficult growth periods and celebration of progress and insights. You learn as much from others' experiences and perspectives as from your own direct practice.
This hexagram also emphasizes that genuine personal growth involves developing your capacity for fellowship and authentic connection with diverse others. Challenge yourself to move beyond comfortable social circles and engage with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. True maturity includes the ability to find common ground with others while appreciating differences, to collaborate effectively despite disagreements, and to maintain relationships through conflicts and challenges. Practice the skills of active listening, empathy, and constructive communication. Your personal development is measured not just by individual achievements but by your capacity to create and maintain meaningful fellowship with others.
Finally, recognize that personal growth serves not only your individual fulfillment but also enhances your capacity to contribute to collective wellbeing. As you develop wisdom, skills, and emotional maturity, share these gifts generously with your communities and use them in service of goals larger than personal advancement. The superior person grows not for selfish reasons but to become more capable of serving others and contributing to the common good. This outward focus paradoxically accelerates your own development while creating the fellowship and meaningful connection that make life truly fulfilling. Your growth and the flourishing of your communities are inseparably linked.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing indicated by hexagram 13 strongly favors collaborative efforts and community building over individual pursuits. This is an ideal period to initiate partnerships, join organizations, form teams, or strengthen existing bonds of fellowship. The cosmic energies support bringing people together around shared values and common goals. Take advantage of this favorable timing by reaching out to others, proposing collaborative projects, and investing energy in building genuine relationships. Opportunities for meaningful connection and productive partnership are abundant now, but they require your active engagement and willingness to be open and vulnerable with others.
The advice of this hexagram is clear: prioritize fellowship and community over isolation and individual striving. Whatever challenges or goals you face, seek allies and partners who share your values and can contribute complementary strengths. Be transparent in your intentions and generous in your willingness to support others' goals as well as your own. Avoid exclusive or secretive alliances that serve narrow interests at others' expense. True fellowship is inclusive and based on universal principles accessible to all. When you build relationships on this foundation, you create bonds that endure through difficulties and enable achievements impossible for individuals alone.
Remember that genuine fellowship requires both unity and respect for diversity. Seek common ground and shared values while also appreciating the unique contributions each person brings. Don't force uniformity or demand that others conform to your way of thinking. The strength of fellowship lies in bringing together diverse talents and perspectives in service of goals that benefit everyone. Maintain your integrity and individual identity while also being willing to compromise and adapt for the sake of collective success. The balance between individual authenticity and collaborative harmony is the key to manifesting the profound potential of Fellowship with Men.