Hexagram N°34

大壯

The Power of the Great

La Puissance du Grand

Dà Zhuàng

Upper trigram

Thunder

Lower trigram

Heaven

The Judgment

The Power of the Great. Perseverance is advantageous.

The Image

Thunder in heaven: the image of The Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths not in accord with the established order.

Meaning

Great strength, power in action. Strength must be guided by justice. The moment demands that one use one's power with rectitude.

The six lines

Line 1 (bottom)

Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true.

Line 2

Perseverance brings good fortune.

Line 3

The inferior man acts by power. The superior man does not act thus. Continuing is dangerous. A ram butts against a hedge and entangles its horns.

Line 4

Perseverance brings good fortune. Repentance vanishes. The hedge opens, there is no entanglement. Power depends on the axle of a great cart.

Line 5

Losing the ram with ease. No repentance.

Line 6 (top)

A ram butts against a hedge. It can neither retreat nor advance. Nothing is advantageous. If one observes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.