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 at the beginning means:
His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that his toes disappear. No blame.
If a sentence is imposed the first time a man attempts to do wrong, the penalty is a mild one. Only the toes are put in the stocks. This prevents him from sinning further, and thus he becomes free of blame. It is a warning to halt in time on the path of evil.
His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that his toes disappear. No blame.
If a sentence is imposed the first time a man attempts to do wrong, the penalty is a mild one. Only the toes are put in the stocks. This prevents him from sinning further, and thus he becomes free of blame. It is a warning to halt in time on the path of evil.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties, and to be persevering. Good fortune.
There are great obstacles to be overcome, powerful opponents are to be punished. Though this is arduous, the effort succeeds. It is necessary to be hard as metal and straight as an arrow to surmount the difficulties. If one knows these difficulties and remains persevering, he attains good fortune, and the difficult task is achieved in the end.
Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties, and to be persevering. Good fortune.
There are great obstacles to be overcome, powerful opponents are to be punished. Though this is arduous, the effort succeeds. It is necessary to be hard as metal and straight as an arrow to surmount the difficulties. If one knows these difficulties and remains persevering, he attains good fortune, and the difficult task is achieved in the end.
Six in the fifth place means:
Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.
The case to be decided is indeed not easy, but perfectly clear. Since we naturally incline to leniency, we must make every effort to be like yellow gold, that is, as true as gold and as impartial as yellow, the color of the middle (the mean). It is only by remaining conscious of the dangers growing out of the responsibility we have assumed that we can avoid making mistakes.
Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.
The case to be decided is indeed not easy, but perfectly clear. Since we naturally incline to leniency, we must make every effort to be like yellow gold, that is, as true as gold and as impartial as yellow, the color of the middle (the mean). It is only by remaining conscious of the dangers growing out of the responsibility we have assumed that we can avoid making mistakes.
Transformed
21 - Shih Ho / Biting Through
Above: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
This hexagram represents an open mouth (cf. hexagram 27) with an obstruction (in the fourth place) between the teeth. As a result the lips cannot meet. To bring them together one must bite energetically through the obstacle. Since this hexagram is made up of the trigrams for thunder and for lightning, it indicates how obstacles are forcibly removed in nature. Energetic biting through overcomes the obstacle that prevents the joining of the lips, and the storm with its thunder and lightning overcomes the disturbing tension in nature. Recourse to law and penalties overcomes the disturbances of harmonious social life caused by criminals and slanderers. The theme of this hexagram is a criminal lawsuit, in contradistinction to that of Sung, CONFLICT (6), which refers to civil suits.
When an obstacle to union arises, energetic biting through brings success. This is true in all situations. Whenever unity cannot be established, the obstruction is due to a tale-bearer or traitor who is interfering and blocking the way. To prevent permanent injury, vigorous measures must be taken at once. Deliberate obstruction of this sort does not vanish of its own accord. Judgment and punishment are required to deter or obviate it.
However, it is important to proceed in the right way. The hexagram combines Li, clarity, and Chên, excitement. Li is yielding, Chên is hard. Unqualified hardness and excitement would be too violent in meting out punishment, but unqualified clarity and gentleness would be too weak. The two together create the just measure. It is momentous that the man who makes the decisions (represented by the fifth line) is gentle by nature, while he commands respect by his conduct in his position.
Penalties are the individual applications of the law. The laws specify the penalties. Clarity prevails when mild and severe penalties are differentiated, according to the nature of the crimes. This is symbolized by the clarity of lightning. The law is strengthened by a just application of penalties. This is symbolized by the terror of thunder. This clarity and severity have the effect of instilling respect. The penalties are not ends in themselves. The obstructions in the social life of man increase when there is a lack of clarity in the penal codes and slackness in executing them. The only way to strengthen the law is to make it clear and make penalties certain and swift.
Above: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
This hexagram represents an open mouth (cf. hexagram 27) with an obstruction (in the fourth place) between the teeth. As a result the lips cannot meet. To bring them together one must bite energetically through the obstacle. Since this hexagram is made up of the trigrams for thunder and for lightning, it indicates how obstacles are forcibly removed in nature. Energetic biting through overcomes the obstacle that prevents the joining of the lips, and the storm with its thunder and lightning overcomes the disturbing tension in nature. Recourse to law and penalties overcomes the disturbances of harmonious social life caused by criminals and slanderers. The theme of this hexagram is a criminal lawsuit, in contradistinction to that of Sung, CONFLICT (6), which refers to civil suits.
The Judgement
BITING THROUGH has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered.When an obstacle to union arises, energetic biting through brings success. This is true in all situations. Whenever unity cannot be established, the obstruction is due to a tale-bearer or traitor who is interfering and blocking the way. To prevent permanent injury, vigorous measures must be taken at once. Deliberate obstruction of this sort does not vanish of its own accord. Judgment and punishment are required to deter or obviate it.
However, it is important to proceed in the right way. The hexagram combines Li, clarity, and Chên, excitement. Li is yielding, Chên is hard. Unqualified hardness and excitement would be too violent in meting out punishment, but unqualified clarity and gentleness would be too weak. The two together create the just measure. It is momentous that the man who makes the decisions (represented by the fifth line) is gentle by nature, while he commands respect by his conduct in his position.
The Image
Thunder and lighting: The image of BITING THROUGH. Thus, the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties.Penalties are the individual applications of the law. The laws specify the penalties. Clarity prevails when mild and severe penalties are differentiated, according to the nature of the crimes. This is symbolized by the clarity of lightning. The law is strengthened by a just application of penalties. This is symbolized by the terror of thunder. This clarity and severity have the effect of instilling respect. The penalties are not ends in themselves. The obstructions in the social life of man increase when there is a lack of clarity in the penal codes and slackness in executing them. The only way to strengthen the law is to make it clear and make penalties certain and swift.