I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
55 - Fêng / Abundance (Fullness)
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Chên is movement, Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without. This produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.
It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore, a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. Such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down. Here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Chên is movement, Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without. This produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.
The Judgement
ABUNDANCE has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore, a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. Such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
The Image
Both thunder and lightning come: The image of ABUNDANCE. Thus, the superior man decides lawsuits and carries out punishments.This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down. Here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.
Changing
Six in the second place means:
If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.
In friendships and close relationships an individual must make a careful choice. He surrounds himself either with good or with bad company, as he cannot have both at once. If he throws himself away on unworthy friends he loses connection with people of intellectual power who could further him in the good.
If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.
In friendships and close relationships an individual must make a careful choice. He surrounds himself either with good or with bad company, as he cannot have both at once. If he throws himself away on unworthy friends he loses connection with people of intellectual power who could further him in the good.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go ones way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?
It often happens, when a man exerts a certain amount of influence, that he obtains a following by condescension toward inferiors. But the people who attach themselves to him are not honest in their intentions. They seek personal advantage and try to make themselves indispensable through flattery and subservience. If one becomes accustomed to such satellites and cannot do without them, it brings misfortune. Only when a man is completely free from his ego, and intent, by conviction, upon what is right and essential, does he acquire the clarity that enables him to see through such people, and become free of blame.
Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go ones way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?
It often happens, when a man exerts a certain amount of influence, that he obtains a following by condescension toward inferiors. But the people who attach themselves to him are not honest in their intentions. They seek personal advantage and try to make themselves indispensable through flattery and subservience. If one becomes accustomed to such satellites and cannot do without them, it brings misfortune. Only when a man is completely free from his ego, and intent, by conviction, upon what is right and essential, does he acquire the clarity that enables him to see through such people, and become free of blame.
Transformed
17 - Sui / Following
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The trigram Tui, the Joyous, whose attribute is gladness, is above. Chên, the Arousing, which has the attribute of movement, is below. Joy in movement induces following. The Joyous is symbolized by the youngest daughter, while the Arousing is the eldest son. An older man defers to a young girl and shows her consideration. By this he moves her to follow him.
In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule, he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him. If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance, which obstructs willing adherence. But even joyous movement can lead to evil consequences, hence the added stipulation, "Perseverance furthers", that is, consistency in doing right, together with "No blame". Just as we should not ask others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm.
The thought of obtaining a following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea, this is why the appended judgment is so favorable.
In the autumn, electricity withdraws into the earth again and rests. Here it is the thunder in the middle of the lake that serves as the image. Thunder in its winter rest, not thunder in motion. The idea of following in the sense of adaptation to the demands of the time grows out of this image. Thunder in the middle of the lake indicates times of darkness and rest. Similarly, a superior man, after being tirelessly active all day, allows himself rest and recuperation at night. No situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it and does not wear himself out with mistaken resistance.
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The trigram Tui, the Joyous, whose attribute is gladness, is above. Chên, the Arousing, which has the attribute of movement, is below. Joy in movement induces following. The Joyous is symbolized by the youngest daughter, while the Arousing is the eldest son. An older man defers to a young girl and shows her consideration. By this he moves her to follow him.
The Judgement
FOLLOWING has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule, he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him. If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance, which obstructs willing adherence. But even joyous movement can lead to evil consequences, hence the added stipulation, "Perseverance furthers", that is, consistency in doing right, together with "No blame". Just as we should not ask others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm.
The thought of obtaining a following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea, this is why the appended judgment is so favorable.
The Image
Thunder in the middle of the lake:The image of FOLLOWING. Thus, the superior man at nightfall, goes indoors for rest and recuperation.In the autumn, electricity withdraws into the earth again and rests. Here it is the thunder in the middle of the lake that serves as the image. Thunder in its winter rest, not thunder in motion. The idea of following in the sense of adaptation to the demands of the time grows out of this image. Thunder in the middle of the lake indicates times of darkness and rest. Similarly, a superior man, after being tirelessly active all day, allows himself rest and recuperation at night. No situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it and does not wear himself out with mistaken resistance.