Hexagram 45: Cui (Gathering Together, 萃) - Assembly and Unity
Share
BY NICOLE LAU
Cui (萃, Gathering Together) is Hexagram 45 in the I Ching. With binary encoding 011000, Cui represents gathering, assembly, and the power of collective unity. This is not isolation but congregation - people gathering around a leader, resources accumulating in one place, unity creating strength. Understanding Cui is understanding that gathering requires a center, that unity needs leadership, and that collective power must be channeled through proper ritual and organization.
Traditional Interpretation
Classical I Ching texts describe Cui as "Gathering Together" or "Massing." The character 萃 depicts grass/plants gathering - assembly, congregation, accumulation. Key attributes: Gathering (聚集, ju ji) - coming together, assembling. Unity (团结, tuan jie) - collective strength. Leadership (领导, ling dao) - center that attracts. Ritual (仪式, yi shi) - proper forms for gathering. The Judgment: "Gathering Together. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something." Gathering succeeds through leadership, ritual, and action. The Image: "The lake rises over the earth: the image of Gathering Together. Thus the superior person renews his weapons in order to meet the unforeseen." Lake above earth - water gathering. Prepare for challenges that gathering may bring.
Binary Encoding: 011000
In binary: 011000. In decimal: 24. Structure: Lines 1-3: Yin-Yin-Yin (000) - earth below, receptive foundation. Lines 4-6: Yin-Yang-Yang (011) - lake above, joyful gathering. Yin dominance (4 yin, 2 yang) but yang provides leadership. This is the structure of gathering: receptive masses (yin) gathering around strong center (yang).
Yin-Yang Dynamics
Yin dominance with yang leadership - masses gathering around center. Lake above Earth - Cui's upper trigram is Dui (Lake, ☱, 011), lower is Kun (Earth, ☷, 000). Lake above earth - water collecting on land, gathering in one place. Joyful (lake) assembly on receptive (earth) foundation.
Modern Applications
Assembly: Gatherings - Cui is conferences, rallies, congregations. Team building - bringing people together. Community - creating collective unity. Leadership: Attracting followers - leader as center of gathering. Organizing - channeling collective energy. Ritual - proper forms for assembly (meetings, ceremonies). Resources: Accumulation - gathering resources in one place. Fundraising - collecting contributions. Consolidation - bringing dispersed elements together.
Systems Science Framework
Cui is convergence - elements flowing toward attractor. Network formation - nodes connecting around hub. Resource pooling - distributed resources concentrating. Collective action - individual energies coordinating. Emergence - collective properties arising from gathering. Preparation - gathering creates power but also vulnerability, requires readiness.
Practical Guidance
When Cui appears: Time to gather together. Assemble people, resources, energies. Approach temple - engage in ritual, proper forms. See great man - seek leadership, guidance. Bring great offerings - contribute generously to collective. Undertake something - use gathered strength for action. But prepare - renew weapons, ready for unforeseen challenges. Gathering creates power but also attracts attention, potential conflict. Be ready. This is favorable time for assembly and collective action.
Conclusion
Cui (011000) teaches: Gathering requires center. Unity needs leadership. Collective power must be channeled through proper ritual and organization. Prepare for challenges that gathering brings. Lake above earth. Water collecting. People assembling. Resources accumulating. This is the power of gathering together.
This is Article 107 of the I Ching Hexagram Dynamics series. — Nicole Lau
As you meditate on the gathering energy of Hexagram 45 and the sacred power of assembly, consider deepening your connection through a cosmic alignment ritual kit for syncing with the celestial flow to harmonize your spirit with the collective, or explore the 40 manifestation rituals intention to reality to weave your intentions into unity's tapestry. The open the abundance gate receiving frequency audio wav pdf can help you tune into the abundance that arises when souls come together, while the divine union alignment sacred partnership field audio wav pdf opens your heart to the harmonies of sacred togetherness. And for those seeking to purify the space where gathering occurs, the sacred space cleanse printable energy clearing ritual kit ensures your circle reflects the purest essence of unity and shared purpose.
