Hexagram 28: Preponderance of the Great
Hexagram
28. Preponderance of the Great · Da Guo
Structure of the sign
The hexagram consists of four strong lines in the interior and two weak lines outside. When the strong are outside and the weak inside, it is favorable and there is no preponderance, nothing extraordinary. Here the reverse is the case. The hexagram represents a beam that is thick and heavy within, but too weak at the ends. This is not a lasting condition. It must be altered, must pass away, or else misfortune threatens.
The Judgment
Preponderance of the Great. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. Success. The great is in preponderance. The burden is too heavy for the supporting forces. The ridgepole, upon which the entire roof rests, sags because its supporting ends are too weak for the load. It is a time and a situation that demands extraordinary measures to be surmounted, because it is an exceptional time. Therefore, one must take care to find a transition and to act as swiftly as possible: this promises success; for although the strong is in preponderance, it stands in the center, that is, in the inner center of gravity, so that no revolution need be feared. Through violent measures, indeed, nothing can be achieved. One must untie the knot through gentle penetration into the meaning of the situation (as suggested by the attribute of the inner trigram Sun); then the transition into other conditions will succeed. It demands great superiority; therefore the time of the preponderance of the great is a great time.
The Image
The lake rises above the trees: the image of Preponderance of the Great. Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he must renounce the world, undaunted. Extraordinary times of the preponderance of the great are like a deluge when the lake rises above the trees. But such conditions pass away. In the individual trigrams the proper attitude for such exceptional times is given: the image of Sun is the tree that stands firm even when solitary, and the attribute of Dui is joyous serenity that remains undaunted even if it must renounce the world.
The lines
Line 1
To spread white reeds beneath. No blame. If one wishes to undertake something in extraordinary times, one must exercise extraordinary caution, just as one carefully places reeds beneath a heavy object to be set upon the ground, so that nothing may break. This caution may appear excessive, but it is no mistake. All extraordinary undertakings can succeed only through the utmost caution in their beginnings and foundations.
Line 2▶ ruling line
A dry poplar puts forth a root sprout. An older man takes a young wife. Everything furthers. The wood stands by the water, hence the image of an old poplar putting forth a root sprout. This is an extraordinary revival of the growth process. The same extraordinary situation arises when an older man takes a young maiden to wife who is well-suited to him. Despite the unusual nature of the situation, everything turns out well. Politically considered, the meaning is that in extraordinary times it is favorable to attach oneself to those of low station, for here lies the possibility of renewal.
Line 3
The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Misfortune. A character is depicted who, in times of preponderance of the great, wishes to push through violently. He takes no counsel from others, and therefore others are not ready to support him. Thereby the burden increases, and bending or breaking ensues. In perilous times, willful rushing ahead only hastens the collapse.
Line 4▶ ruling line
The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune. If there are ulterior motives, it is humiliating. Through friendly relations with those below, a man of responsibility succeeds in mastering the situation. But if he were to abuse his connections to attain power and success for himself personally, instead of looking after the preservation of the whole, it would be humiliating.
Line 5
A withered poplar puts forth blossoms. An older woman takes a husband. No blame. No praise. A withered poplar that puts forth blossoms exhausts its strength thereby and only draws nearer to its end. An older woman takes a husband once again. But no renewal takes place. Everything remains sterile. Thus only the anomaly remains, even though everything proceeds honorably. Politically it is indicated that if, in uncertain times, one severs connection with those below and holds only to one's ties with higher ranks, a condition is created that is not enduring.
Line 6
One must pass through the water. It goes over the crown of the head. Misfortune. No blame. Here the situation is depicted in which the extraordinary has mounted to the highest degree. One is courageous and wishes to accomplish one's task under all circumstances. Thereby one falls into danger. The water goes over one's head. That is the misfortune. But to lay down one's life for the sake of realizing the good and the right brings no blame. There are things more important than life.
Below ☴ Wind (Sun)
- Direction
- SE
- Element
- Wood · Wind
- Attributes
- Gentle · Penetrating · Gradual · Persevering
- Family
- Eldest Daughter
Above ☱ Lake (Dui)
- Direction
- W
- Element
- Lake · Metal
- Attributes
- Joyous · Cheerful · Open · Contented · Abundant
- Family
- Youngest Daughter