大壮
Dà ZhuàngUpper: Thunder · 震 · Lower: Heaven · 乾
Judgment利贞。
In plain wordsThe Judgment says only that it favors staying on the right course. When strength is great, one should act all the more rightly, neither bullying others nor rushing recklessly.
The imageThunder above, heaven below: thunder in the sky, its sound vast, with strong and powerful yang; a picture of great strength.
A hint for youWhen you hold resources and an advantage, be all the more restrained and do not use too much force. Strength that serves a proper goal is the real kind.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初九壮于趾，征凶，有孚。The first line, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,—most certainly.
- 九二贞吉。The second line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune.
- 九三小人用壮，君子用罔，贞厉。羝羊触藩，羸其角。The third line, undivided, shows, in the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.
- 九四贞吉悔亡，藩决不羸，壮于大轝之腹。The fourth line, undivided, shows (a case in which) firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon.
- 六五丧羊于易，无悔。The fifth line, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
- 上六羝羊触藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艰则吉。The sixth line, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
Great power; use it with restraint
For entertainment and self-reflection only