I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
34 - Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
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 Chên, the Arousing; the lower is Ch`ien, the Creative. Ch`ien is strong, Chên 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).
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 ones 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, hence, the added statement that perseverance furthers. 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.
Thunder as 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.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
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 Chên, the Arousing; the lower is Ch`ien, the Creative. Ch`ien is strong, Chên 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).
The Judgement
THE POWER OF THE GREAT. Perseverance furthers.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 ones 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, hence, the added statement that perseverance furthers. 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 are not in accord with established order.Thunder as 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.
Changing
Nine in the third place means:
One pushes upward into an empty city.
All obstructions that generally block progress fall away here. Things proceed with remarkable ease. Unhesitatingly one follows this road, in order to profit by ones success. Seen from without, everything seems to be in the best of order. However, no promise of good fortune is added. It is a question how long such unobstructed success can last. However, it is not wise to yield to such misgivings, because they only inhibit ones power. Instead, the point is to profit by the propitiousness of time.
One pushes upward into an empty city.
All obstructions that generally block progress fall away here. Things proceed with remarkable ease. Unhesitatingly one follows this road, in order to profit by ones success. Seen from without, everything seems to be in the best of order. However, no promise of good fortune is added. It is a question how long such unobstructed success can last. However, it is not wise to yield to such misgivings, because they only inhibit ones power. Instead, the point is to profit by the propitiousness of time.
Six at the top means:
Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.
He who pushes upward blindly deludes himself. He knows only advance, not retreat, and this means exhaustion. In such a case it is important to be constantly mindful that one must be conscientious and consistent and must remain so. Only thus does one become free of blind impulse, which is always harmful.
Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.
He who pushes upward blindly deludes himself. He knows only advance, not retreat, and this means exhaustion. In such a case it is important to be constantly mindful that one must be conscientious and consistent and must remain so. Only thus does one become free of blind impulse, which is always harmful.
Transformed
46 - Shêng / Pushing Upward
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The Judgement
PUSHING UPWARD has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: The image of PUSHING UPWARD. Thus, the superior man of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.