I Ching Hexagram 34 - Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great
- Above Chen the Arousing, Thunder
- Below Ch'ien the Creative, Heaven
Introduction
The great lines, that is, the light, strong lines, are powerful. Four light lines have entered the hexagram from below and are about to ascend higher. The upper trigram is Chen, the Arousing; the lower is ch'ien, the Creative. Ch'ien is strong, Chen produces movement. The union of movement and strength gives the meaning of The Power of the Great. The hexagram is linked with the second month (March-April).
See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.
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The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.
Judgement Commentary
The hexagram points to a time when inner worth mounts with great force and comes to power. But its strength has already passed beyond the median line, hence there is danger that one may rely entirely on one's own power and forget to ask what is right. There is danger too that, being intent on movement, we may not wait for the right time. Therefore the added statement that perseverance furthers. For that is truly great power which does not degenerate into mere force but remains inwardly united with the fundamental principles of right and of justice. When we understand this point--namely, that greatness and justice must be indissolubly united--we understand the true meaning of all that happens in heaven and on earth
The Image
Thunder in heaven above: The image of The Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.
Image Commentary
Thunder--electrical energy--mounts upward in the spring. The direction of this movement is in harmony with that of the movement of heaven. It is therefore a movement in accord with heaven, producing great power. However, true greatness depends on being in harmony with what is right. Therefore in times of great power the superior man avoids doing anything that is not in harmony with the established order.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means: Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 32 - Heng / Duration. In this line we have a lowly position seeking to advance its position inappropriately. This should not be done. Legge says this line seeks to enforce "...a measure is too bold to be undertaken by one in the lowest place." The outcome of this is hexagram 32, Duration, indicates that change needs to be achieved in the right way or it fails to last.
Nine in the second place means: Perseverance brings good fortune.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 55 - Feng / Abundance (Fullness). Here our power is starting to have an affect. We need to keep our ego under control to avoid turning success into failure. Legge is clear on what this lines subject must do, his "...strength is tempered...instead of being excited by it, as might be feared." The result , as indicated by hexagram 55, Abundance, is we are indeed successful and gain our hearts desires (if we control ourselves to the end).
Nine in the third place means: The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge and gets its horns entangled.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 54 - Kuei Mei / The Marrying Maiden. There is a warning here. Do not think that brute force will always work out for the best. This is what Legge says "A small man so symbolled will use his strength to the utmost, but not so the superior man." Be the superior man and do not get entangled. The resultant hexagram 54, The Marrying Maiden predicts "Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further." The outcome seems to be that the warning given above is ignored and one gets entangled.
Nine in the fourth place means: Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 11 - T'ai / Peace. This line is similar to the previous one except that he does not get entangled in his own ego nor the difficulties of the time. Instead he succeeds in his aims. Legge's symbolism is the same as Wilhelm's "We see the fence opened without the horns being entangled." The outcome hexagram 11, Peace, predicts good fortune and success for who ever draws this line.
Six in the fifth place means: Loses the goat with ease. No remorse.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 43 Kuai / Break-through (Resoluteness). Outward display of strength is no necessary for the subject of this line. His position and achievements speak for themselves. Legge's interpretation is the same, the lines "...subject will cease therefore to exert his strength, but this hexagram does not forbid the employment of strength, but would only control and direct it." The resultant hexagram 43, Break-through, represents a positive outcome for this line, as one has overcome the sources of tension and discord.
Six at the top means: A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, it cannot go forward. Nothing serves to further. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 14 - Ta Yu / Possession in Great Measure. Stubbornness is not much of a virtue and this line has gotten itself in self created difficulties. Stop struggling to assert yourself and then difficulties will melt away. Legge shows how this bad situation can be improved "...he becomes conscious of his weakness, reflects and rests, and good fortune results, as he desists from the prosecution of his unwise efforts." This is exactly the outcome that the resultant hexagram 14, Possession in Great Measure, suggests, supreme success.
See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 34 - Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great translation of this hexagram.