Citigroup, Inc. C Under CEO Vikram S. Pandit
THE HEXAGRAM
HEXAGRAM 10 – Lu – Treading (Conduct)
Above CH’IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
The name of the hexagram means on the one hand the right way of conducting oneself. Heaven, the father, is above, and the lake, the youngest daughter, is below. This shows the difference between high and low, upon which composure, correct social conduct, depends. On the other hand, the word for the name of the hexagram, TREADING, 1 means literally treading upon something. The small and cheerful [Tui] treads upon the large and strong [Ch’ien]. The direction of movement of the two primary trigrams is upward. The fact that the strong treads on the weak is not mentioned in the Book of Changes, because it is taken for granted. For the weak to take a stand against the strong is not dangerous here, because it happens in good humor [Tui] and without presumption, so that the strong man is not irritated but takes it all in good part.
THE JUDGMENT
TREADING.
Treading upon the tail of the tiger.
It does not bite the man.
Success.
The situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which is weakest are close together. The weak follows behind the strong and worries it. The strong, however, acquiesces and does not hurt the weak, because the contact is in good humor and harmless.
In terms of a human situation, one is handling wild, intractable people. In such a case one’s purpose will be achieved if one behaves with decorum. Pleasant manners succeed even with irritable people.
THE IMAGE
Heaven above, the lake below: The image Of TREADING.
Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low,
And thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.
Heaven and the lake show a difference of elevation that inheres in the natures of the two, hence no envy arises. Among mankind also there are necessarily differences of elevation; it is impossible to bring about universal equality. But it is important that differences in social rank should not be arbitrary and unjust, for if this occurs, envy and class struggle are the inevitable consequences. If, on the other hand, external differences in rank correspond with differences in inner worth, and if inner worth forms the criterion of external rank, people acquiesce and order reigns in society.
THE LINES
Nine in the fourth place means:
He treads on the tail of the tiger.
Caution and circumspection
Lead ultimately to good fortune.
This text refers to a dangerous enterprise. The inner power to carry it through is there, but this inner power is combined with hesitating caution in one’s external attitude. This line contrasts with the preceding line, which is weak within but outwardly presses forward. Here one is sure of ultimate success, which consists in achieving one’s purpose, that is, in overcoming danger by going forward.
1i. [Auftreten, the German word used for the name of the hexagram, means both "treading" and "conduct."]
2,. [See explanation of this line in bk. III, PP- 437-38-]
THE MOVING HEXAGRAM
HEXAGRAM 50 – Ting – The Caldron
Above LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The six lines construct the image of Ting, THE CALDRON; at the bottom are the legs, over them the belly, then come the ears (handles), and at the top the carrying rings. At the same time, the image suggests the idea of nourishment. The Ting, cast of bronze, was the vessel that held the cooked viands in the temple of the ancestors and at banquets. The head of the family served the food from the Ting into the bowls of the guests.1 THE WELL (48) likewise has the secondary meaning of giving nourishment, but rather more in relation to the people. The Ting, as a utensil pertaining to a refined civilization, suggests the fostering and nourishing of able men, which redounded to the benefit of the state. (2)
This hexagram and THE WELL are the only two in the Book of Changes that represent concrete, man-made objects. Yet here too the thought has its abstract connotation. Sun, below, is wood and wind; Li, above, is flame. Thus together they stand for the flame kindled by wood and wind, which likewise suggests the idea of preparing food.
THE JUDGMENT
THE CALDRON.
Supreme good fortune.
Success.
While THE WELL relates to the social foundation of our life, and this foundation is likened to the water that serves to nourish growing wood, the present hexagram refers to the cultural superstructure of society. Here it is the wood that serves as nourishment for the flame, the spirit. All that is visible must grow beyond itself, extend into the realm of the invisible. Thereby it receives its true consecration and clarity and takes firm root in the cosmic order.
Here we see civilization as it reaches its culmination in religion. The Ting serves in offering sacrifice to God. The highest earthly values must be sacrificed to the divine. But the truly divine does not manifest itself apart from man. The supreme revelation of God appears in prophets and holy men. To venerate them is true veneration of God. The will of God, as revealed through them, should be accepted in humility; this brings inner enlightenment and true understanding of the world, and this leads to great good fortune and success.
THE IMAGE
Fire over wood: The image of THE CALDRON.
Thus the superior man consolidates his fate
By making his position correct.
The fate of fire depends on wood; as long as there is wood below, the fire burns above. It is the same in human life; there is in man likewise a fate that lends power to his life. And if he succeeds in assigning the right place to life and to fate, thus bringing the two into harmony, he puts his fate on a firm footing. These words contain hints about the fostering of life as handed on by oral tradition in the secret teachings of Chinese yoga,
1. [There are beautiful examples of the Ting in most of our museums where they are classified as ritual vessels. The German word used by Wilhelm for Ting is Tiegel, meaning literally "caldron" and, in another sense, “crucible." Since this characteristic Chinese vessel is unique in form, so different from either a caldron or a crucible in the usual sense, the word Ting has been retained wherever feasible here.]
2. Cf. the other three hexagrams dealing with nourishment, viz., hexagrams 5, 27, 48.
Citigroup, Inc.
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10043
United States – Map
Phone: 212-559-1000
Fax: 212-793-3946
Website: http://www.citigroup.com
Details
Index Membership: N/A
Sector: Financial
Industry: Money Center Banks
Full Time Employees: 260,000
Mr. Vikram S. Pandit , 54, Chief Exec. Officer, Director and Member of Exec. Committee
Business Summary
Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, provides consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions with a range of financial products and services, including consumer banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. The company has two primary segments, Citicorp and Citi Holdings. The Citicorp segment operates as a global bank for businesses and consumers with two primary businesses, Regional Consumer Banking and Institutional Clients Group. The Regional Consumer Banking business provides traditional banking services, including retail banking, branded cards, and small commercial banking in North America, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Institutional Clients Group business provides securities and banking services, including investment banking and advisory services, lending, debt and equity sales and trading, institutional brokerage, foreign exchange, structured products, cash instruments and related derivatives, and private banking; and transaction services consisting of treasury and trade solutions, and securities and fund services. The Citi Holdings segment has three businesses: Brokerage and Asset Management, Local Consumer Lending, and Special Asset Pool. The Brokerage and Asset Management business, through its 49% stake in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney joint venture and Nikko Cordial Securities, offers retail brokerage and asset management services. The Local Consumer Lending business provides residential mortgage loans, retail partner card loans, student loans, personal loans, auto loans, commercial real estate, and other consumer loans, as well as western European cards and retail banking services. The Special Asset Pool business is a portfolio of securities, loans, and other assets. Citigroup Inc. has approximately 200 million customer accounts and operates in approximately 140 countries. The company was founded in 1812 and is based in New York, New York.
