Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 大畜 (Dà Chù) |
| English Name | The Taming Power of the Great / Great Accumulation |
| Trigrams | Mountain over Heaven (艮上乾下) |
| Number | 26 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Heaven within the mountain: the image of the Taming Power of the Great. Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity and many deeds of the past, in order to strengthen his character thereby.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | Danger is at hand. It furthers one to desist. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
| 九二 | 2nd | The axletrees are removed from the wagon. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九三 | 3rd | A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger, with perseverance, furthers. Practice chariot driving and armed defense daily. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
| 六四 | 4th | The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 六五 | 5th | The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 上九 | Top | One attains the way of heaven. Success. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Great power held in check; studying the past to build character
- Upper trigram Mountain (still and grounding) over lower trigram Heaven (creative and strong)
- Embodies the qualities of accumulation, restraint, study and heritage, wisdom, strength
Keywords
AccumulationRestraintStudyHeritageWisdomStrength
Divination & Prediction
★★★★☆Auspicious
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Favorable conditions ahead. Great power held in check; studying the past to build character Channel the energy of accumulation and restraint for maximum benefit. |
| Timing | Conditions favor action now. Move forward with confidence. |
| Challenge | Maintain focus on study to avoid complacency in favorable times. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels accumulation and restraint. The Mountain trigram above suggests still and grounding energy in your outer dealings, while the Heaven trigram below points to creative and strong foundations. Conditions favor bold moves and expansion.
Health & Wellness
Focus on hands and back and lungs and head. Your vitality is strong — channel it through regular exercise and disciplined routines.
Relationships
In relationships, embody accumulation and restraint. Openness and confidence strengthen bonds. Take initiative in resolving issues.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes study and heritage. Excellent conditions for mastery. Pursue ambitious studies.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate accumulation in all your actions
- Practice restraint consistently
- Embrace study as your guiding principle
- Develop heritage through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of wisdom
- Abandon strength under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 9. Xiǎo Chù (小畜) | Small Taming — lesser accumulation of power |
| 5. Xū (需) | Waiting — patient accumulation |
| 11. Tài (泰) | Peace — the release of accumulated power |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “Should I continue saving and studying, or start deploying my resources now?”
You received Hexagram 26, The Taming Power of the Great. The judgment says: 'The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings ...' Great power held in check; studying the past to build character This is a favorable sign. The energy of accumulation supports your intention. Move forward with study, but remain mindful of proper timing.