Hexagram 28 大過 - Dà Guò / Preponderance of the Great
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Trigrams#
- Above Duì, the Joyous, the Lake
- Below Xùn, the Gentle, the Wind
The hexagram consists of four strong lines inside and two weak lines outside. When the strong lines are on the outside and the weak lines are on the inside, the structural configuration is balanced; there is no structural excess, and nothing extraordinary is present. Here, the reverse is true. The hexagram represents a beam that is thick and heavy in the middle but too weak at its ends. This is not a sustainable state. It must change and pass, otherwise disaster threatens.
The Judgment#
Preponderance of the great. The ridgepole sags. It is favorable to have a direction to go. Success.
The great is in excess. The load is too heavy for the supporting forces. The ridgepole, upon which the entire roof rests, sags because its supporting ends are too weak for the weight. This is a time and a situation requiring extraordinary measures to overcome, as it represents an exceptional period.
Therefore, one must focus on finding a transition and taking action as quickly as possible; this promises success. Although the strong lines are in excess, they occupy the central positions - meaning at the inner center of gravity - so no violent revolution is to be feared. Forceful measures will achieve nothing. One must untie the knot by gently penetrating into the meaning of the situation, as suggested by the attribute of the inner trigram Xùn. Through this approach, the transition to new conditions will succeed. This requires exceptional capability; therefore, the time of the preponderance of the great is a significant epoch.
The Image#
The lake rises above the trees: The image of the preponderance of the great. Thus the superior person, when standing alone, remains free of care, and if they must renounce the world, they remain undaunted.
Extraordinary times of the preponderance of the great resemble a flood where the lake rises above the trees. However, such conditions are temporary. The correct attitude during these exceptional times is derived from the components of the hexagram: the image of Xùn is the tree that stands firm even when isolated, and the attribute of Duì is a serene joyfulness that remains undaunted even when forced to renounce the world.
The Individual Lines#
Six at the beginning means:#
Placing white rushes underneath. No blame.
When beginning an undertaking in extraordinary times, one must exercise exceptional caution. Just as a heavy object intended for the floor is carefully cushioned with white rushes to prevent damage, this caution might seem excessive, but it is not an error. All extraordinary ventures can only succeed through utmost care in their initial steps and foundational layers.
Nine in the second place means:#
A withered poplar puts forth a shoot. An older man gets a young wife. Everything is favorable.
The wood stands near water, which provides the image of an old poplar tree putting forth a new shoot. This represents an extraordinary revitalization of the growth process. A similar extraordinary situation occurs when an older man takes a young woman as his wife. Despite the unusual nature of the circumstances, everything goes well.
From a political perspective, the meaning is that during extraordinary times, it is highly favorable to align oneself with those of lower status, as this offers an authentic opportunity for renewal.
Nine in the third place means:#
The ridgepole sags. Misfortune.
This describes a personality that attempts to force its way aggressively through times of structural excess. Refusing advice from others, they find no one willing to support them. Consequently, the burden increases, leading inevitably to bending or breaking. In hazardous times, willful and headstrong behavior only accelerates the collapse.
Nine in the fourth place means:#
The ridgepole is supported. Good fortune. If there are hidden motives, it is humiliating.
Through supportive relations with those below, a responsible leader succeeds in mastering the situation. However, if he were to exploit these connections to secure personal power and status rather than focusing entirely on saving the whole, it would be deeply humiliating.
Nine in the fifth place means:#
A withered poplar puts forth blossoms. An older woman gets a husband. No blame. No praise.
A withered poplar that puts forth blossoms merely exhausts its remaining strength, bringing itself closer to its end. Similarly, when an older woman takes a husband, no real renewal takes place; the situation remains sterile. Thus, only an oddity persists, even if everything occurs honorably.
Politically, it is implied that if one abandons connections with the lower strata during unstable periods and relies exclusively on relationships with higher classes, an unsustainable condition is created.
Six at the top means:#
One must wade through the water. It goes over the crown of the head. Misfortune. No blame.
This depicts a scenario where extraordinary conditions have escalated to their absolute peak. Driven by courage, one seeks to fulfill their duty under all circumstances, thereby inviting extreme danger. The water closes over one’s head; this is the misfortune. Yet, sacrificing one’s life to uphold what is good and right leaves no stain of blame. There are values more vital than mere survival.
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