Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the thirty-fourth hexagram of the I Ching, Da Zhuang (大壯), which symbolizes 'The Power of the Great'. It represents thunder over heaven, like accumulating immense energy that demands wise use to avoid misuse, emphasizing strength guided by righteousness, and perseverance in harnessing power for positive action. The hexagram statement is: "Da Zhuang: The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers."
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 Thunderous Might, Harnessing the Great'
Once upon a time, under vast heavens where thunder rumbled with accumulating power, a young warrior discovered a surging force within, symbolizing the great that must be guided by perseverance to further noble causes. At the outset, the power stirred in his toes, eager to advance; but continuing rashly would bring misfortune, for it was certainly so that unguided strength led to falls.
With perseverance, he channeled the power steadily, bringing good fortune as he built his might without haste.
But the inferior warriors used their power crudely, like a goat butting against a hedge and entangling its horns; to continue dangerously, they acted thus, trapped in their own force.
Then, perseverance brought good fortune as remorse disappeared; the hedge opened without entanglement, his power depending upon the axle of a big cart to move forward smoothly.
He lost the goat with ease, no remorse in releasing unnecessary burdens to maintain balance.
At last, a goat butted against a hedge, unable to go backward or forward, nothing furthering until he realized the difficulty, bringing good fortune through awareness and adjustment.
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
First Line (Initial Nine): Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly so.
This line warns of eager but unripe power leading to failure if pushed forward prematurely. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, the power stirred in his toes, eager to advance; but continuing rashly would bring misfortune, for it was certainly so that unguided strength led to falls." This symbolizes holding back immature energy to avoid mishaps.
Annotation: I Ching Da Zhuang hexagram first line: "Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly so."
Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): Perseverance brings good fortune.
This line suggests steady channeling of power yielding positive results. Matching part in the tale: "With perseverance, he channeled the power steadily, bringing good fortune as he built his might without haste." Steady build succeeds. Annotation: I Ching Da Zhuang hexagram second line: "Perseverance brings good fortune."
Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing perseverance channeling power good fortune without haste, representing Da Zhuang hexagram second line: steady build, power accumulation scene heaven thunder, earthy tones with subtle golds for channeling."
Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge And gets its horns entangled.
This line contrasts crude use of power by the inferior with the superior's restraint, warning of entrapment. Matching part in the tale: "But the inferior warriors used their power crudely, like a goat butting against a hedge and entangling its horns; to continue dangerously, they acted thus, trapped in their own force." Crude power entraps. Annotation: I Ching Da Zhuang hexagram third line: "The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge And gets its horns entangled."
Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating inferior power like goat butting hedge entangled continue dangerous, embodying Da Zhuang hexagram third line: crude entrapment, warrior goat scene thunder heaven, intense reds and browns for danger."
Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart.
This line indicates perseverance clearing obstacles, with power balanced like a cart's axle for smooth progress. Matching part in the tale: "Then, perseverance brought good fortune as remorse disappeared; the hedge opened without entanglement, his power depending upon the axle of a big cart to move forward smoothly." Balanced power clears. Annotation: I Ching Da Zhuang hexagram fourth line: "Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart."
Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying perseverance opening hedge no entanglement power on cart axle good fortune, symbolizing Da Zhuang hexagram fourth line: smooth clearing, hedge cart scene heaven thunder, serene blues and golds for balance."
Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): Loses the goat with ease. No remorse.
This line represents effortlessly releasing burdens, without regret in simplifying power. Matching part in the tale: "He lost the goat with ease, no remorse in releasing unnecessary burdens to maintain balance." Easy release balances. Annotation: I Ching Da Zhuang hexagram fifth line: "Loses the goat with ease. No remorse."
Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing losing goat with ease no remorse releasing burdens, representing Da Zhuang hexagram fifth line: effortless balance, goat release scene with thunder heaven, vibrant yellows and greens for simplicity."
Top Line (Six at the Top): A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, It cannot go forward. Nothing furthers. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.
This line warns of being stuck in power's misuse, nothing furthering until realizing the difficulty for resolution. Matching part in the tale: "At last, a goat butted against a hedge, unable to go backward or forward, nothing furthering until he realized the difficulty, bringing good fortune through awareness and adjustment." Realized difficulty resolves. Annotation: I Ching Da Zhuang hexagram top line: "A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, It cannot go forward. Nothing furthers. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune."
Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting goat butting hedge stuck nothing furthering note difficulty good fortune, symbolizing Da Zhuang hexagram sixth line: aware adjustment, stuck goat scene heaven thunder, dark purples and grays for stuckness to light."
This blog should make the six lines of Da Zhuang hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~
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