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易經 I Ching: The Book of Changes

 Hexagram 28: Dà Guò [Preponderance of the Great]


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Image
The lake rises above the trees.
Duì (The Joyous, Lake) above, Xùn (The Gentle, Wind, Wood) below.
Judgment
Dà Guò suggests to us a beam that is weak. There will be advantage in moving (under its conditions) in any direction whatever; there will be success.
Dà Guò shows the great ones (= the undivided lines) in excess. In "the beam that is weak" we see weakness both in the lowest and the topmost (lines). The strong lines are in excess, but (two of them) are in the central positions. The action (of The Judgment is represented by the symbols of) flexibility and satisfaction. (Hence it is said), "There will be advantage in moving in any direction whatever; yea, there will be success." Great indeed is (the work to be done in) this very extraordinary time.
(The trigram representing) trees hidden beneath that for the waters of a marsh forms Dà Guò. The superior man, in accordance with this, stands up alone and has no fear, and keeps retired from the world without regret.
Line 1
The first SIX, divided, shows one placing mats of the white mâo grass under things set on the ground. There will be no error.
"He places mats of the white mâo grass under things set on the ground:"--he feels his weakness and his being in the lowest place, (and uses extraordinary care).
Line 2
The second NINE, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing shoots, or an old husband in possession of his young wife. There will be advantage in every way.
"An old husband and a young wife:"--such association is extraordinary.
Line 3
The third NINE, undivided, shows a beam that is weak. There will be evil.
"The evil connected with the beam that is weak" arises from this, that no help can be given (to the condition thus represented).
Line 4
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows a beam curving upwards. There will be good fortune. If (the subject of it) looks for other (help but that of line one), there will be cause for regret.
"The good fortune connected with the beam curving upwards" arises from this, that it does not bend towards what is below.
Line 5
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing flowers, or an old wife in possession of her young husband. There will be occasion neither for blame nor for praise.
"A decayed willow produces flowers:"--but how can this secure its long continuance? "An old wife and a young husband:"--this also is a thing to be ashamed of.
Line 6
The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject with extraordinary (boldness) wading through a stream, till the water hides the crown of his head. There will be evil, but no ground for blame.
"Evil follows wading with (extraordinary) boldness (through the stream):"--but (the act) affords no ground for blame.
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