Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 大壮 (Dà Zhuàng) |
| English Name | The Power of the Great / Great Vigor |
| Trigrams | Thunder over Heaven (震上乾下) |
| Number | 34 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Thunder in heaven above: the image of the Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
| 九二 | 2nd | Perseverance brings good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九三 | 3rd | The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A he-goat butts against a hedge and gets its horns entangled. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
| 九四 | 4th | Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 六五 | 5th | Loses the goat with ease. No remorse. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 上六 | Top | A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, it cannot go forward. Nothing serves to further. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Great power that must be channeled properly; strength without arrogance
- Upper trigram Thunder (arousing and energizing) over lower trigram Heaven (creative and strong)
- Embodies the qualities of power, strength, vigor and restraint, propriety, force
Keywords
PowerStrengthVigorRestraintProprietyForce
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Favorable with Caution
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Great power that must be channeled properly; strength without arrogance Success is possible through vigor and restraint. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance power with strength to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels power and strength. The Thunder trigram above suggests arousing and energizing energy in your outer dealings, while the Heaven trigram below points to creative and strong foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on liver and feet and lungs and head. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody power and strength. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes vigor and restraint. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate power in all your actions
- Practice strength consistently
- Embrace vigor as your guiding principle
- Develop restraint through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of propriety
- Abandon force under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 33. Dùn (遁) | Retreat — knowing when not to use power |
| 14. Dà Yǒu (大有) | Great Possession — power bearing fruit |
| 43. Guài (夬) | Breakthrough — decisive use of power |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “I'm in a strong position. Should I press my advantage?”
You received Hexagram 34, The Power of the Great. The judgment says: 'The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers....' Great power that must be channeled properly; strength without arrogance This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to strength and vigor. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.