Earth above – Lake below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Lín and involves overseeing as a principle of leadership. The concept also includes leading from a high or honored position by taking charge and getting to work with immediacy, objectivity, knowledge and fairness. Other names depicting “Earth above Lake” are Approaching, Leadership, Taking Charge.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Lake is below (lower 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Lake means opening up to others, exchange and connections and a place where social interaction with different groups happens. When Lake is the inner condition and modelling its best attributes, there is an impulse to reach out with a sincere, joyful quality.
Trigram Earth is on top of trigram Lake. Trigram Earth deals with receiving and nurturing or being received and nurtured. It is not weak; Earth’s strength is shown as willingness to yield. Lake’s attributes push up and through to Earth’s ability to make them a concrete reality. Earth and Lake together represent the idea of overseeing as a guide and protector.
The ancient ideograph is on the left side of the image below. The right portion symbolizes a person standing, bending over the top with a very large eye (upper left) set directionally (as the head is bent forward). There are 3 mouths below suggesting looking over one’s people and the associated responsibilities (ancient Chinese counted people by mouths).
In summary: Earth rises above Lake in an image of answering an immediate need for oversight and guidance, specifically for taking action within an ongoing process (eg. getting crops in the ground rather than including thoughts of harvest). Lake, as the heart of the image, shows values centered around being truly open to all types of people and having the ability to really “see” them without judgement. Earth is situated above, indicating the need for coming-into-reality leadership, able to truly “receive” and caretake in this situation. This leadership is not only seeing people in their totality with regard to who they are individually (talents and limitations), but also what is generally needed at that moment and how that can be done.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – A time of pulling together disparate forces with clear rules, sensitivity and equity (even while knowing this is to be a temporary alliance). Continual dedication to every detail on the leader’s part is considered of high importance.
Line 2 – Traditionally an auspicious placement, ancient wisdom counsels everyone concerned be treated with mutual understanding, allowing for diversity. A diverse group led by good leader is ultimately quite stable in its strength.
Line 3 – This placement tends towards possible extremes of leadership style. Boasting, non-substantive sweet-talking, being greedy or conversely, allowing those you are leading to over-run your boundaries, are all possible. One at this position would do well to be aware and take a preventative stance toward such extremes.
Line 4 – There is a sense of coming closer to completion of a task and this line references one who does have the ability to allow others to live within their own convictions without withdrawing or trying to force one’s own views. As the time draws near, keep encouraged as success is likely forthcoming.
Line 5 – This position shows leadership possessing the ability to surround him/herself with those of greater skills than him/herself (true humility). The type of leadership knows how to stay true to him/herself while allowing others to “be who they are”. Also of importance is the ability to attract those of good values while distancing harmful people.
Line 6 – Often this placement suggests the presence of honesty, acceptance and reliability which may signify a leader, a hermit, a teacher, or a situation in which the attributes of the leader can profoundly impact success.