Hexagram 14: Possession in Great Measure
Hexagram
14. Possession in Great Measure · Da You
Structure of the sign
The fire in heaven above shines far, so that all things come into the light and become manifest. The weak fifth line occupies the place of honor, and all the strong lines correspond to it. He who is modest and mild in a high place has all things fall to him.
The Judgment
Possession in Great Measure: Supreme success. The two primary trigrams indicate that strength and clarity unite. Possession in great measure is determined by fate and accords with the time. How is it possible that the weak line possesses the power to hold the strong firm and to possess them? Through its unselfish modesty. It is a favorable time. Strength within, and clarity and culture without. Power expresses itself in a graceful and controlled manner. This brings supreme success and wealth.
The Image
Fire in heaven above: the image of Possession in Great Measure. Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven. The sun high in the heavens, shedding light on all earthly things, is the image of possession on a grand scale. But such possession must be rightly administered. The sun brings both evil and good to light. Man must combat and curb evil, and promote and foster good. Only in this way does one accord with the benevolent will of God, who wills only good and not evil.
The lines
Line 1
No relationship with what is harmful, that is not a blame. If one remains conscious of difficulty, one remains blameless. Great possession that is still in its initial stage and has not yet suffered challenge is without blame; for there has not yet been any opportunity to make mistakes. Yet there are still many difficulties to be overcome. Only if one remains conscious of these difficulties does one truly become inwardly free from the possibility of pride and extravagance, overcoming every fault in principle.
Line 2
A big wagon for loading. One may undertake something. No blame. Great possession consists not merely in the quantity of goods at one's disposal, but above all in their mobility and usefulness. Then one may employ them for undertakings and remain free from embarrassment and error. By the big wagon onto which much can be loaded and with which one can travel far, able helpers are understood who stand by one's side and are equal to their task. To such people one can entrust great responsibility, which is necessary in important enterprises.
Line 3
A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven. A petty man cannot do this. It is the mark of a magnanimous, liberal-minded man that he does not regard his possession as his exclusive personal property, but places it at the disposal of the ruler or the community. In doing so, he assumes the correct attitude toward possession, which as private property can never endure. A narrow-minded man is certainly incapable of this. For him, great possession turns into harm, since instead of offering it, he wishes to retain it.
Line 4
He makes a distinction between himself and his neighbor. No blame. A position is indicated that stands between rich and powerful neighbors. This brings danger. Here it is essential not to look right or left, to remain free from envy and from the desire to rival others. Thus one remains free from mistakes.
Line 5▶ ruling line
He whose truth is accessible yet dignified has good fortune. The situation is very favorable. Without external coercion, solely through unpretentious sincerity, one wins people over so that they too are devoted in genuine truth. Yet in a time of possession in great measure, mildness alone does not suffice. Otherwise insolence might easily arise by degrees. This onset of insolence must be held in check by dignity; then good fortune is certain.
Line 6
He is blessed by heaven, good fortune! Nothing that does not further. In the fullness of possession and power, one remains modest and honors the sage who stands outside the bustle of the world. Thereby one places oneself under the benevolent influence from heaven, and all goes well. Confucius says of this line: 'To bless means to help. Heaven helps the devoted; men help the truthful. He who walks in truthfulness and is devoted in his thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He finds good fortune, and there is nothing that would not further.'
Below ☰ Heaven (Kien)
- Direction
- NW
- Element
- Heaven · Metal
- Attributes
- Creative · Strong · Untiring · Luminous
- Family
- Father
Above ☲ Fire (Li)
- Direction
- S
- Element
- Fire · Sun · Light
- Attributes
- Clarifying · Luminous · Clinging · Conscious · Beautiful
- Family
- Middle Daughter