Hexagram 26: The Taming Power of the Great
Hexagram
26. The Taming Power of the Great · Da Chu
Structure of the sign
The Creative is tamed by Keeping Still. This yields immense power, quite unlike hexagram No. 9, where only the Gentle tames the Creative. While in that hexagram a single weak line is meant to tame the five strong ones, here there are two: besides the minister, there is also the ruler. Therefore their taming power is far greater. A threefold meaning resides in the sign: heaven in the midst of the mountain conveys the idea of holding firm, of holding together; the sign Gen, which holds the sign Ch'ien still, conveys the idea of holding firm, of holding back. Finally, because a strong line at the top is the ruler of the sign, honored and sustained as a sage, there arises from this the idea of holding firm, of nourishing and fostering. This last concept comes into play especially with the ruler of the sign, the strong top line, who represents the sage.
The Judgment
The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water. To hold fast and accumulate great, creative powers, as depicted in the hexagram, requires a strong, clear-sighted man who is honored by the ruler. The sign Ch'ien points to strong creative energy, the sign Gen to steadfastness and truth; both point to light and clarity, and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal does one remain at the height of one's power. While in quiet times the power of habit helps maintain order, in such great periods of gathering strength everything depends on the power of personality. But because worthy men are honored, as shown by the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is favorable not to eat at home, but to earn one's bread in public life by accepting an office. One is in harmony with heaven; therefore even grave, perilous undertakings succeed, such as crossing the great water.
The Image
Heaven within the mountain: the image of the Taming Power of the Great. Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity and deeds of the past, in order to strengthen his character thereby. Heaven within the mountain points to hidden treasures. Thus in the words and deeds of the past lies concealed a treasure that can be used to fortify and elevate one's own character. This is the right manner of study: not to restrict oneself to historical knowledge, but through practical application constantly to make the historical present once more.
The lines
Line 1
There is danger. It furthers one to desist. One might well desire a vigorous advance, yet an obstacle lies in the circumstances. One finds oneself held back. If one attempted to force progress, it would lead to misfortune. Therefore it is better to compose oneself and wait until an outlet opens for the accumulated energies.
Line 2
The axle-trees are taken from the wagon. Here progress is halted, much as in the Taming Power of the Small (No. 9, nine in the third place). But while there the checking force is slight, giving rise to a conflict between the urge forward and the restraint, so that the spokes fly from the wagon, here the restraining power is decisively superior. Therefore no struggle takes place. One yields and first removes the axle-trees from the wagon—that is, one restricts oneself for the present to waiting. Thereby inner tension accumulates for energetic advancement later.
Line 3
A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger and perseverance further. Practice daily in chariot driving and armed defense. It furthers one to have whither to go. The way opens. The hindrance has ceased. One stands in relationship with a strong will acting in the same direction. One advances like a good horse following another. Yet danger still threatens, of which one must remain mindful so as not to be robbed of steadfastness. Thus one must, on the one hand, practice what carries one forward, and on the other hand, practice what protects against an unforeseen assault. Then it is good to have a goal toward which one strives.
Line 4
The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune! This line and the one that follows are the ones that tame the lower lines striving forward. Before a bull's horns have grown, a protective board is fastened to his forehead, ensuring that once the horns appear, they can no longer do harm. An excellent way of taming is to counter wildness before it breaks forth and manifests; thereby one achieves an easy and great success.
Line 5▶ ruling line
The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune! Here the taming of that which impetuously presses forward is achieved in an indirect manner. A boar's tusk is dangerous in itself, but when the nature of the boar is altered, it loses its peril. In the same way, among human beings one must not combat wildness directly, but rather remove the roots of that wildness.
Line 6▶ ruling line
One attains the way of heaven. Success. The time of hindrance is past. The power accumulated so long through restraint breaks through and achieves great success. This is a sage honored by the ruler, whose principles now prevail and reshape the world.
Below ☰ Heaven (Kien)
- Direction
- NW
- Element
- Heaven · Metal
- Attributes
- Creative · Strong · Untiring · Luminous
- Family
- Father
Above ☶ Mountain (Gen)
- Direction
- NE
- Element
- Mountain · Stone
- Attributes
- Keeping Still · Firm · Immovable · Setting Boundaries
- Family
- Youngest Son