Hexagram 12 · Qian / Heaven (乾) palace · Metal (金) · Third generation (三世) · Six-combination
Pi · Obstruction
Hexagram 12, Pi · Obstruction, has Qian / Heaven (乾) above Kun / Earth (坤). It belongs to the Qian / Heaven (乾) palace, whose reference element is Metal (金).
Updated
Pi combines a picture of Heaven and Earth not meeting with a six-combination line structure. Self is Mao Wood Wealth on line 3 and Other is Xu Earth Parent at the top; Mao and Xu combine. Connection and obstruction therefore coexist: a matter can remain tied together while being difficult to move forward. Child is absent, limiting direct treatment of relief or child-related subjects.
Relationships
The Self/Other combination suggests a bond or continuing involvement, while the overall image raises questions about communication and separation of perspectives. A connection can persist without being easy. The static pattern cannot decide whether someone should stay, leave or wait.
Money
Wealth at Self makes resource concerns closely connected with the questioner’s position. Its combination with Parent at Other links the symbolic picture to agreements, paperwork or established conditions. The traditional emphasis is slower realization rather than a sudden windfall; the chart does not verify a financial opportunity.
Career
Officer appears at lines 2 and 4, making responsibility or authority a repeated category. Repetition alone does not measure the amount of pressure. The combination structure can sustain an arrangement while internal and external expectations remain hard to reconcile. Inspect the moving lines and actual work conditions.
Health
Child, commonly used for relief in this framework, is absent. That is a structural limitation and not evidence that recovery or treatment is unavailable. Repeated Officer lines can be discussed as a traditional pressure theme, but cannot identify disease or severity. Follow appropriate medical assessment.
Health themes are traditional symbolism, not a diagnosis. Seek medical care for symptoms or concerns.
These themes describe the static structure. A particular cast also needs its moving lines, month and day, and focus-line context. The same hexagram can support different interpretations in different situations.
Judgment and Image
Judgment否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。
Image天地不交，否；君子以儉德辟難，不可榮以祿。
The Judgment presents a time when constructive exchange is blocked. The Image describes Heaven and Earth not meeting and recommends restraint in the face of unsuitable incentives. This is an explanation of the traditional ethical image, not a prediction that all progress is impossible.
The Chinese Judgment is from the Zhou Yi; the Image is from the Image commentary. The displayed Chinese was collated against the recorded sources. This English explanation is our own, not a quotation from a modern translation. Read the Chinese source (opens a new tab).
The six lines: branches, Self/Other and relationships
Use the table to inspect each line’s branch, relationship and Self/Other role. To create your own cast, open the Six-line I Ching tool and cast three coins six times.
Qian / Heaven (乾) above Kun / Earth (坤) · Self: line 3 · Other: line 6
| Line | Figure | Branch | Element | Relationship | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line 6 | Yang | Xu (戌) | Earth (土) | Parent (父母) | Other (應) |
| Line 5 | Yang | Shen (申) | Metal (金) | Sibling (兄弟) | — |
| Line 4 | Yang | Wu (午) | Fire (火) | Officer (官鬼) | — |
| Line 3 | Yin | Mao (卯) | Wood (木) | Wealth (妻財) | Self (世) |
| Line 2 | Yin | Si (巳) | Fire (火) | Officer (官鬼) | — |
| Line 1 | Yin | Wei (未) | Earth (土) | Parent (父母) | — |
Swipe sideways to view the full table
Explore each layer: branch assignment in Na Jia, question categories in focus selection, and line positions in Self and Other.
Six Spirits depend on the casting day and are omitted from this static library. Hidden spirits are not calculated. A specific cast adds its Six Spirits, moving lines and resulting hexagram.
Reading the structure
Hexagram 12, Pi · Obstruction, has Qian / Heaven (乾) above Kun / Earth (坤). It belongs to the Qian / Heaven (乾) palace, whose reference element is Metal (金).
This is the Third generation (三世) stage. Self is line 3: Mao (卯), Wood (木), Wealth (妻財). Other is line 6: Xu (戌), Earth (土), Parent (父母). Self locates the questioner’s side; Other locates the counterpart or target. They do not by themselves determine an outcome.
The palace element is the reference for the Five Relationships: what generates it is Parent; what it generates is Child; what controls it is Officer; what it controls is Wealth; the same element is Sibling. These are symbolic subject roles, not necessarily literal family members.
The visible lines have no Child (子孫) category. Traditional practice may look for hidden spirits in the palace’s primary hexagram, but MingLiMR does not calculate that layer. A reading must disclose the missing focus and work only with the available Self/Other and moving-line context.
This is a six-combination hexagram: lines 1/4, 2/5 and 3/6 combine in all three pairs. Traditional themes include cohesion, attachment and a slower pace. Connection can support cooperation or delay a desired separation, depending on the question.
Frequently asked questions
- Does six-combination guarantee success?
- No. Pi illustrates why a connected structure can still contain obstruction. Movement and context are needed.
- What if the question is about a child’s health?
- The Child category is absent and MingLiMR does not calculate hidden spirits. The chart cannot supply a direct medical answer; use professional care.
- What do Self at 3 and Other at 6 mean?
- They identify the questioner and counterpart positions. Their Wealth/Parent roles and Mao–Xu combination provide context, not a complete outcome.
Explore one question
Form one clear question and cast six lines. No birth information is needed. The free chart includes Six Spirits, moving lines and a resulting hexagram when applicable; the result page explains the available reading options.
Cast a hexagramNew to casting? Read the beginner’s I Ching guide for the three steps, example questions and how to distinguish primary and resulting hexagrams.
The library is for learning and reflection. It is not medical, legal or financial advice.