Hexagram 13, Tóng Rén (Fellowship): Line 5
同人卦九五 · 天火同人 · 中文版
九五：同人，先号咷而后笑。大师克相遇。
The line (Legge)
In the fifth NINE, undivided, (the representative of) the union of men first wails and cries out, and then laughs. His great host conquers, and he (and the subject of the second line) meet together.
Small Image commentary
The first action of (the representative of) the union of men (here described) arises from his central position and straightforward character. 'The meeting secured by his great host' intimates that the opponents of it have been overcome.
象曰：同人之先，以中直也。大师相遇，言相克也。
In plain words
In fellowship, first weeping and wailing, then laughter; the great armies overcome the obstacles and meet. The fifth line corresponds to the second, but the third and fourth lines stand between them, so it takes effort to come together. The Small Image says the first weeping comes from being central and straight, and the armies meeting means the obstacles are overcome.
Applying it to your situation
If you and a kindred spirit are kept apart by outside forces, this line suggests persisting: there is usually some hardship before you meet. What stands between you?
Position
A solid (yang) line in the fifth place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is in its proper place. It holds the centre of the upper trigram. Its partner is line 2; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.
If this line moves
With this line moving alone, Tóng Rén changes into Hexagram 30 Lí (The Clinging Fire). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·同人之离.
The hexagram
Hexagram 13 Tóng Rén (Fellowship). The Judgment: Tong Ren (or 'Union of men') appears here (as we find it) in the (remote districts of the) country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to maintain the firm correctness of the superior man.
Previous: Line 4 · Next: Line 6 (top)
English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.