Thirty-Fourth Hexagram : The Wisdom of The Power of the Great

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 mighty thunder resounding across the vast sky, emphasizing the accumulation of great strength that must be wielded with righteousness and caution to avoid overreach. 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 Resounding Thunder, Might of the Skies'

Once upon a time, under boundless heavens where thunder boomed with accumulating might, a young thunder god awakened to his great power, learning to persevere in its righteous use to further heavenly harmony. At the outset, power stirred in his toes, eager but unripe; continuing rashly brought misfortune, as it was certain that premature force would lead to a fall.

With perseverance, he channeled the power steadily, bringing good fortune as he tempered his strength without haste.

But inferior gods used their power crudely, like a goat butting a hedge and entangling its horns; to persist dangerously trapped them in their own might.

Then, perseverance brought good fortune as remorse disappeared; the hedge opened, and his power depended on the axle of a big cart to move forward smoothly without force.

He lost the goat with ease, no remorse in releasing unneeded burdens to maintain balance in his growing power.

At last, a goat butted against a hedge, unable to advance or retreat, nothing furthering until noting the difficulty brought 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

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First Line (Initial Nine): Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly so.

This line warns of unripe power at the base, where pushing forward prematurely leads to certain failure. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, power stirred in his toes, eager but unripe; continuing rashly brought misfortune, as it was certain that premature force would lead to a fall." This part illustrates holding back immature strength to prevent 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 tempering of power yielding positive results. Matching part in the tale: "With perseverance, he channeled the power steadily, bringing good fortune as he tempered his strength without haste." Steady tempering 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: tempered strength, power build scene heaven thunder, earthy tones with subtle golds for steadiness."

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 force by the inferior with the superior's restraint, warning of self-entrapment. Matching part in the tale: "But inferior gods used their power crudely, like a goat butting a hedge and entangling its horns; to persist dangerously trapped them in their own might." Crude force 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: self-entrapment, god goat scene thunder heaven, intense reds and browns for crudeness."

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 paths, with balanced power like a cart's axle enabling smooth advance. Matching part in the tale: "Then, perseverance brought good fortune as remorse disappeared; the hedge opened without entanglement, his power depending on the axle of a big cart to move forward smoothly." Balanced power advances. 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 path, 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 shedding unnecessary power, without regret for simplification. Matching part in the tale: "He lost the goat with ease, no remorse in releasing unneeded burdens to maintain balance." Easy shed 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 simplification, goat release scene thunder heaven, vibrant yellows and greens for ease."

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 recognizing the issue for resolution. Matching part in the tale: "At last, a goat butted against a hedge, unable to go backward or forward, nothing furthering until noting the difficulty brought good fortune through awareness and adjustment." Noted 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 resolution, 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~