Hexagram 34, Dà Zhuàng (Great Power): Line 4

大壮卦九四 · 雷天大壮 · 中文版

九四:贞吉悔亡,藩决不羸,壮于大舆之輹。

The line (Legge)

The fourth NINE, undivided, shows (a case in which) firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon.

Small Image commentary

'The fence is opened and the horns are not entangled:' - (the subject of the line) still advances.

象曰:藩决不羸,尚往也。

In plain words

Steadfastness brings good fortune and regret vanishes; the fence gives way and the horns are not caught; strength lies in the axle block of a great cart, which runs steadily. The fourth line is yang in a yin place, strong but flexible, and the fifth and top lines ahead are yin: the way is open. The Small Image says it may go forward.

Applying it to your situation

If the resistance has finally eased, this line suggests moving ahead steadily. Now the road is open, is your "cart" ready?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the fourth place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is not in its proper place. Its partner is line 1; both are yang, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Dà Zhuàng changes into Hexagram 11 Tài (Peace). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·大壮之泰.

The hexagram

Hexagram 34 Dà Zhuàng (Great Power). The Judgment: Da Zhuang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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