What this hexagram is about
Heaven and fire, the light rising upward — the image of fellowship, of joining with others in common purpose. It speaks of uniting people openly and without partiality; only a broad heart that forms no private clique can accomplish great things.
The Judgment 卦辞
同人于野，亨。利涉大川，利君子贞。
Fellowship with others in the open. Success. It is favorable to cross the great river; it favors the noble person's perseverance.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：天与火，同人；君子以类族辨物。
Heaven together with fire; so the noble person sorts the clans and discerns the nature of things.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
出门同人，又谁咎也。
Meeting others openly at the gate — who then could find fault?
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top同人于郊，无悔。
To join with others in the far and lonely meadow — though it falls short of one's wish, there is no remorse.
Nine in the fifth place同人，先号咷而后笑，大师克相遇。
In seeking fellowship, one first weeps aloud at the obstruction and later laughs at the reunion; only by breaking through with great force can the meeting come to pass.
Nine in the fourth place乘其墉，弗克攻，吉。
One scales the enemy's wall yet does not launch the attack — able to restrain oneself and know where to stop — good fortune.
Nine in the third place伏戎于莽，升其高陵，三岁不兴。
Arms lie hidden in the thickets, and one climbs the high ridge to spy out the way; but the strength falls short, and for years one dares not make the move.
Six in the second place同人于宗，吝。
To band together only within the small circle of one's own kin — narrow, and a cause for regret.
Initial Nine同人于门，无咎。
To join with others beyond one's own door — open and frank, working with all alike whether near or distant — there is no fault.