An Analysis of the Structure, Ethics, and Ontology of the 'Jia Ren' Hexagram in the Zhou Yi

Section 3: Family Reunion in Sacrificial Rites

Sacrificial rites in Pre-Qin times were crucial moments for family reunion. Besides daily life, ancestral sacrifice was the most important mechanism for gathering scattered family members.

The Shi Jing, Xiao Ya, Chang Di is dedicated entirely to fraternal affection:

"The blossoms of the common jujube tree, so vibrant and splendid! Among the people of today, none compare to brothers."

"In sorrow and mourning, brothers are deeply compassionate. When the fields are desolate, brothers seek each other out. Even if they are in the fields, brothers rush to each other's aid in times of difficulty. Even if they have good friends, they sigh, 'Alas!'"

"When brothers quarrel within the walls, they join forces against external threats. Even if they have good friends, they sigh, 'Alas!'"

"When the chaos of mourning is past, and peace and calm return. Though you have brothers, they are not as good as a true friend from outside. ... When the vessels are filled with offerings, and they drink their fill. When brothers are all present, harmonious and joyous, yet tender. When wives and children are intimate, like playing the zither and the lute. When brothers are united, harmonious and joyous, and deeply content. May your household be well arranged, and may your wife and children rejoice. Reflect on this and plan for it—is it truly so$19"

This poem perfectly depicts the ideal state sought by the Jia Ren hexagram: "When brothers are all present, harmonious and joyous, yet tender" ($\text{xiōng dì jì jù, hé yuè qiè rú}$, 兄弟既具，和乐且孺). "Wives and children are intimate, like playing the zither and the lute" ($\text{qī zǐ hǎo hé, rú gǔ sè qín}$, 妻子好合，如鼓瑟琴)—spouses are harmonious, like the sounds of the zither and lute. "May your household be well arranged, and may your wife and children rejoice."

The line "When brothers quarrel within the walls, they join forces against external threats" ($\text{xiōng dì hè yú qiáng, wài yù qí wù}$, 兄弟阋于墙，外御其务) reveals an important feature of family relations: Conflicts among family members are superficial and temporary; the unity among family members is deep and fundamental. This is entirely consistent with the spirit of "possessing sincerity" ($\text{yǒu fú}$) in the Jia Ren hexagram—the "sincerity" between family members is fundamental, and no outward quarrel can shake this foundation.

The reunion during sacrifices is the most concrete scenario pointed to by the name "Jia Ren" (Family People)—family members gather around the ancestral altar (Fire), jointly participating in sacred rites—is this not the most primal and literal manifestation of "Wind arises from Fire"$20