Twenty-Eighth Hexagram : The Wisdom of Preponderance of the Great

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the twenty-eighth hexagram of the I Ching, Da Guo (大過), which symbolizes 'Preponderance of the Great' or 'Great Exceeding'. It represents lake over wind (or wood), like a beam sagging under excessive weight, emphasizing critical overload, the need for balance in excess, and taking action to prevent collapse by having a clear direction. The hexagram statement is: "Da Guo: Preponderance of the Great. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. Success."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Sagging Ridgepole, Balance in Overload'

Once upon a time, in a grand hall built amid windy lakes, the ridgepole began to sag under the weight of excessive adornments, symbolizing a critical overload that furthered one to have a clear goal for success. At the outset, the builder spread white rushes underneath to cushion the strain; no blame in this protective measure against the excess.

A dry poplar sprouted at the root, like an older man taking a young wife; everything furthered in this renewal amid the great preponderance.

But the ridgepole sagged to the breaking point under the overload; misfortune struck as the structure weakened from imbalance.

To brace the ridgepole, reinforcements were added; good fortune blessed the effort, but if ulterior motives crept in, it brought humiliation.

A withered poplar put forth flowers, like an older woman taking a husband; no blame nor praise in this late blooming under excess.

At last, one had to wade through the water, going over one's head in the flood; misfortune from the immersion, but no blame in the necessary crossing to restore balance.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Nine): To spread white rushes underneath. No blame.

This line advises protective measures in excess to prevent harm, blamelessly. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, the builder spread white rushes underneath to cushion the strain; no blame in this protective measure against the excess." This symbolizes cushioning overload without fault. Annotation: I Ching Da Guo hexagram first line: "To spread white rushes underneath. No blame."

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): A dry poplar sprouts at the root. An older man takes a young wife. Everything furthers.

This line suggests renewal and unions that balance excess, benefiting all. Matching part in the tale: "A dry poplar sprouted at the root, like an older man taking a young wife; everything furthered in this renewal amid the great preponderance." Renewal unions further. Annotation: I Ching Da Guo hexagram second line: "A dry poplar sprouts at the root. An older man takes a young wife. Everything furthers."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing dry poplar sprouting at root like older man young wife furthering all, representing Da Guo hexagram second line: balancing renewal, poplar tree scene with wind lake, earthy tones with vibrant yellows for union."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Misfortune.

This line warns of excess reaching critical failure, bringing ill fortune. Matching part in the tale: "But the ridgepole sagged to the breaking point under the overload; misfortune struck as the structure weakened from imbalance." Critical sag dooms. Annotation: I Ching Da Guo hexagram third line: "The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating ridgepole sagging to breaking point in misfortune from imbalance, embodying Da Guo hexagram third line: critical failure, sagging beam scene over lake wind, intense browns and reds for weakening."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune. If there are ulterior motives, it is humiliating.

This line encourages reinforcing excess for success, but warns against hidden agendas causing shame. Matching part in the tale: "To brace the ridgepole, reinforcements were added; good fortune blessed the effort, but if ulterior motives crept in, it brought humiliation." Braced effort succeeds purely. Annotation: I Ching Da Guo hexagram fourth line: "The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune. If there are ulterior motives, it is humiliating."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying bracing ridgepole for good fortune but humiliation if ulterior, symbolizing Da Guo hexagram fourth line: pure reinforcement, braced beam scene with wind under lake, serene golds and grays for balance."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): A withered poplar puts forth flowers. An older woman takes a husband. No blame. No praise.

This line represents late, neutral efforts in excess—neither fault nor commendation. Matching part in the tale: "A withered poplar put forth flowers, like an older woman taking a husband; no blame nor praise in this late blooming under excess." Neutral late blooming. Annotation: I Ching Da Guo hexagram fifth line: "A withered poplar puts forth flowers. An older woman takes a husband. No blame. No praise."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing withered poplar flowering like older woman husband no blame praise, representing Da Guo hexagram fifth line: neutral effort, late bloom scene lake over wind, muted purples and yellows for neutrality."

Top Line (Six at the Top): One must go through the water. It goes over one's head. Misfortune. No blame.

This line indicates immersion in excess leading to misfortune, but blameless if necessary. Matching part in the tale: "At last, one had to wade through the water, going over one's head in the flood; misfortune from the immersion, but no blame in the necessary crossing to restore balance." Necessary immersion blameless. Annotation: I Ching Da Guo hexagram top line: "One must go through the water. It goes over one's head. Misfortune. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting going through water over head in misfortune no blame, symbolizing Da Guo hexagram sixth line: necessary immersion, flood crossing scene wind under lake, dark blues and grays for depth."

This blog should make the six lines of Da Guo hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~