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
Six at the top means:
Restlessness as an enduring condition brings misfortune.
There are people who live in a state of perpetual hurry without ever attaining inner composure. Restlessness not only prevents all thoroughness but actually becomes a danger if it is dominant in places of authority.
Restlessness as an enduring condition brings misfortune.
There are people who live in a state of perpetual hurry without ever attaining inner composure. Restlessness not only prevents all thoroughness but actually becomes a danger if it is dominant in places of authority.
Transformed
32 - Hêng / Duration
Above: CHEN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
The strong trigram Chên is above, the weak trigram Sun below. This hexagram is the inverse of the preceding one. In the latter we have influence, here we have union as an enduring condition. The two images are thunder and wind, which are likewise constantly paired phenomena. The lower trigram indicates gentleness within, and the upper, movement without.
In the sphere of social relationships, the hexagram represents the institution of marriage as the enduring union of the sexes. During courtship the young man subordinates himself to the girl, but in marriage, which is represented by the coming together of the eldest son and the eldest daughter, the husband is the directing and moving force outside, while the wife, inside, is gentle and submissive.
Duration is a state whose movement is not worn down by hindrances. It is not a state of rest, for mere standstill is regression. Duration is rather the self-contained and therefore self-renewing movement of an organized, firmly integrated whole, taking place in accordance with immutable laws and beginning anew at every ending. The end is reached by an inward movement, by inhalation, contraction, and this movement turns into a new beginning, in which the movement is directed outward, in exhalation, expansion.
Heavenly bodies exemplify duration. They move in their fixed orbits, and because of this, their light-giving power endures. The seasons of the year follow a fixed law of change and transformation, hence they can produce effects that endure.
So likewise, the dedicated man embodies an enduring meaning in his way of life, and thereby the world is formed. In that which gives things their duration, we can come to understand the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth.
Thunder rolls, and the wind blows. Both are examples of extreme mobility, and so are seemingly the very opposite of duration, but the laws governing their appearance and subsidence, their coming and going, endure. In the same way the independence of the superior man is not based on rigidity and immobility of character. He always keeps abreast of the time and changes with it. What endures is the unswerving directive, the inner law of his being, which determines all his actions.
Above: CHEN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
The strong trigram Chên is above, the weak trigram Sun below. This hexagram is the inverse of the preceding one. In the latter we have influence, here we have union as an enduring condition. The two images are thunder and wind, which are likewise constantly paired phenomena. The lower trigram indicates gentleness within, and the upper, movement without.
In the sphere of social relationships, the hexagram represents the institution of marriage as the enduring union of the sexes. During courtship the young man subordinates himself to the girl, but in marriage, which is represented by the coming together of the eldest son and the eldest daughter, the husband is the directing and moving force outside, while the wife, inside, is gentle and submissive.
The Judgement
DURATION. Success. No blame. Perseverance furthers. It furthers one to have somewhere to go.Duration is a state whose movement is not worn down by hindrances. It is not a state of rest, for mere standstill is regression. Duration is rather the self-contained and therefore self-renewing movement of an organized, firmly integrated whole, taking place in accordance with immutable laws and beginning anew at every ending. The end is reached by an inward movement, by inhalation, contraction, and this movement turns into a new beginning, in which the movement is directed outward, in exhalation, expansion.
Heavenly bodies exemplify duration. They move in their fixed orbits, and because of this, their light-giving power endures. The seasons of the year follow a fixed law of change and transformation, hence they can produce effects that endure.
So likewise, the dedicated man embodies an enduring meaning in his way of life, and thereby the world is formed. In that which gives things their duration, we can come to understand the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth.
The Image
Thunder and wind: the image of DURATION. Thus, the superior man stands firm, and does not change his direction.Thunder rolls, and the wind blows. Both are examples of extreme mobility, and so are seemingly the very opposite of duration, but the laws governing their appearance and subsidence, their coming and going, endure. In the same way the independence of the superior man is not based on rigidity and immobility of character. He always keeps abreast of the time and changes with it. What endures is the unswerving directive, the inner law of his being, which determines all his actions.