Hexagram 34: The Power of the Great
Hexagram
34. The Power of the Great · Da Zhuang
Structure of the sign
The great, that is, the light, strong lines are powerful. Four light lines have entered the hexagram from below and are about to ascend further. The upper trigram is Dschen, the Arousing; the lower is Kiën, the Creative. The Creative is strong, the Arousing moving. The union of movement and strength gives the meaning of the Power of the Great. The hexagram is assigned to the second month (March–April).
The Judgment
The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. The hexagram points to a time when inner worth rises powerfully and attains to power. But the strength has already crossed beyond the middle. Therefore the danger is near that one relies upon one's power without inquiring at all times after what is right, and that one aims at movement without waiting for the right time. For this reason the sentence is added that perseverance furthers. For that indeed is truly great power which does not degenerate into mere violence, but remains inwardly joined with the principles of right and justice. If one understands this point, that greatness and justice must be indissolubly linked, one understands the true meaning of all that happens in the world in heaven and earth.
The Image
Thunder is high in the heavens: the image of the Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with order. Thunder, the electrical force, ascends in spring. This movement is in harmony with the direction of the movement of heaven. It is therefore a movement in accord with heaven that produces great power. But true greatness rests upon its being in harmony with that which is right. Therefore the superior man guards in times of great power against doing anything that is not in harmony with what accords with order.
The lines
Line 1
Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true. The toes are at the very bottom and are ready to advance. Thus great power in a low position is inclined to force advancement by violence. But if one continues in this way, it would surely lead to misfortune. Therefore a warning is added as advice.
Line 2
Perseverance brings good fortune. The presupposed situation is that the portals of success begin to open. Resistance begins to yield. One advances powerfully. This is the point where presumption all too easily sets in, unable to restrain itself. Therefore the oracle says that perseverance—namely, in inner equilibrium, without exaggerated display of power—brings good fortune.
Line 3
The inferior man works through power, the superior man does not act thus. Continuing is dangerous. A he-goat butts against a hedge and entangles his horns. Insisting upon power leads to entanglements, just as a goat butting against a hedge entangles his horns. While the inferior man revels in power when in possession of it, the superior man does not act thus. He is conscious of the danger of continuing under all circumstances, and therefore renounces the mere display of power in good time.
Line 4▶ ruling line
Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens, there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a large wagon. If one continues to work quietly and perseveringly at removing the resistances, one ultimately succeeds. The hindrances yield, and the cause for remorse, which rests on an exaggerated application of power, disappears. The power does not manifest outwardly, but it has the effect of carrying heavy loads forward like a large wagon whose strength rests upon its axle. The less power is applied outwardly, the more powerfully it acts.
Line 5
Loses the goat with ease. No remorse. The goat is distinguished by outer hardness with inner weakness. Now the situation is such that everything is quite easy; resistance is no longer present. Then one may lay aside the combative, obstinate nature and will not have to regret it.
Line 6
A goat butts against a hedge. He cannot go backward, he cannot go forward. Nothing furthers. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune. If one ventures too far, one reaches an impasse where one can neither go forward nor backward, and everything serves only to complicate the matter further. Through such obstinacy one falls into insurmountable difficulties. If one perceives the situation and does not wish to push on, but calms oneself, everything will in time become good again.
Below ☰ Heaven (Kien)
- Direction
- NW
- Element
- Heaven · Metal
- Attributes
- Creative · Strong · Untiring · Luminous
- Family
- Father
Above ☳ Thunder (Dschen)
- Direction
- E
- Element
- Wood · Thunder
- Attributes
- Arousing · Awakening · Impelling · Moving
- Family
- Eldest Son