Hexagram 12 of the I Ching, known as 天地否 (Tiān Dì Pǐ) or “Stagnation,” represents a time of obstruction and standstill. This hexagram is composed of the upper trigram ☰乾 Qian (Heaven, father) and the lower trigram ☷坤 Kun (Earth, mother). It signifies a period when opposites, such as Earth and Heaven, fail to communicate, leading to stagnation and a lack of progress. In this state, selfishness may prevail, and the natural flow of energy is obstructed.
Other variations of the name for Hexagram 12 include “Standstill (Stagnation)” and “Selfish Persons,” highlighting the challenges associated with this time of inactivity and disconnection.
Sovereign or Calendar Hexagram:
Hexagram 12 (Stagnation) is associated with the seventh month (August) and the earthly branch 申 Shen.
Jia Zi Combination of the Hexagram:
Hexagram 12 of the I Ching is linked to the Geng Xu 庚戌 combination, the 47th in the sexagesimal cycle.
- Geng (庚): Celestial Stem representing Yang Metal.
- Xu (戌): Terrestrial Branch of the Dog.
Interpretation of the Drawing of Hexagram 12
- Opposite Hexagram (錯卦 Cuo Gua): The opposite hexagram is Hexagram 11 – Tai (Peace). It indicates what is not or the opposite of the solution to the situation, replacing the Yang traits with Yin traits and vice versa.
- Inverted Hexagram (覆卦 Fu Gua): The permuted hexagram is also Hexagram 11 – Tai (Peace), which provides information on the origin of the situation by switching the two trigrams.
- Nuclear Hexagram (互卦 Hu Gua): The nuclear hexagram is Hexagram 53 – Jian (Development), representing the core of the problem or question. It is formed by using the four lines in the center to create two new trigrams.
- Mutant Hexagram (Derived):
- Line 6 mutates to become Hexagram 45.
- Line 5 mutates to become Hexagram 35.
- Line 4 mutates to become Hexagram 20.
- Line 3 mutates to become Hexagram 33.
- Line 2 mutates to become Hexagram 6.
- Line 1 mutates to become Hexagram 25.
Taoist Yi Jing (Wen Wang Gua)
Hexagram 12 belongs to the third generation of the Qian (Metal) family. In this interpretation, the Subject is placed on the third line, and the Object is placed on the sixth line.
The Six Relatives:
- 6th Line: 戌 Xu (Earth) – Parents
- 5th Line: 申 Shen (Metal) – Brothers
- 4th Line: 午 Wu (Fire) – Officer
- 3rd Line: 卯 Mao (Wood) – Wealth
- 2nd Line: 巳 Si (Fire) – Officer
- 1st Line: 未 Wei (Earth) – Parents
Hexagram 12 also acts as a support for Liu He or the 6 Combinations, where two earthly branches of different Yin-Yang polarities attract, combine, and unite:
- 卯 Mao (Wood) combines with 戌 Xu (Earth).
- 巳 Si (Fire) combines with 申 Shen (Metal).
- 未 Wei (Earth) combines with 午 Wu (Fire).