---
title: 水地比 — Holding Together (Hexagram 8)
lang: en
canonical: https://ekidan.ai/library/8
alternates:
  - ja: https://ekidan.ai/ja/library/8
  - zh-Hant: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/8
  - zh-TW: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/8
  - zh-HK: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/8
source: 高島易断 (Takashima Ekidan), public-domain 1893 English and 1901 Chinese editions
provider: ekidan.ai — AI-assisted I Ching reading grounded in 88 source-verified historical Takashima cases
license: Classical source text is public domain. This structured edition and its modern commentary are © ICHING LLC, ekidan.ai. Attribution requested when quoted.
---

# 水地比 · Holding Together — Hexagram 8

Hexagram 8 of the I Ching is 水地比 (Holding Together). Water cleaving to earth — holding together. Those who join in sincerity early prosper; latecomers suffer. Do not miss the moment to bond.

## Work / Relationships / Health

- **Work**: Excellent for alliances and teamwork.
- **Relationships**: A deep affinity — show sincerity early.
- **Health**: Kidneys and urinary system.

## Structure

- Number: 8
- Name: 水地比
- English: Holding Together
- Romaji: sui-chi-hi
- Pinyin: bǐ
- Upper: 水 (Water)
- Lower: 地 (Earth)
- Lines (top to bottom):

```text
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
```

## Recorded readings using this hexagram

### The Franco-Prussian War (1870)

- Hexagram 3 → 8 · Chun (屯) changing to Hi (比), line 1
- A friend who had wagered on a French victory asked Takashima to secure the win by divination. Takashima told him instead that France would be defeated — and was flatly disbelieved.
- [Read the case](https://ekidan.ai/heritage/cases/franco-prussian-war-1870)

## Questions about this hexagram

### What does hexagram 8 (水地比) mean?

Water cleaving to earth — holding together. Those who join in sincerity early prosper; latecomers suffer.

### What does 水地比 counsel?

Do not miss the moment to bond.

### What does 水地比 say about work?

Excellent for alliances and teamwork.

### What does 水地比 say about relationships?

A deep affinity — show sincerity early.

### What does 水地比 say about health?

Kidneys and urinary system.

### Which trigrams make up hexagram 8?

Upper trigram 水 (Water) over lower trigram 地 (Earth).


Source: [Takashima Ekidan AI — ekidan.ai](https://ekidan.ai/library/8)