I Ching hexagram
34. Great Power
大壯Dà Zhuàng
Thunder over Heaven
Also called The Power of the Great, The Symbol of Great Vigor, Persons of Great Authority, Great Strength, Great Invigorating, Great Maturity, Accumulated Force, The Strength of the Mighty, Righteous Power, Excessive Force
Hexagram 34, Great Power (大壯 Dà Zhuàng) is formed by Thunder over Heaven. It is also known as The Power of the Great, The Symbol of Great Vigor, Persons of Great Authority, Great Strength, Great Invigorating, Great Maturity, Accumulated Force, The Strength of the Mighty. The judgment is James Legge. The six lines are R.L. Wing — the same texts used in a reading on this site.
The judgment
James Legge
Great Power necessitates firm correctness.
The six lines
R.L. Wing · line 1 is at the bottom
- Line 1Yang
Even though you have the strength, proceeding with your plan would be a mistake. You must not force this issue because you are not in a position to do so successfully.
- Line 2Yang
Moderation now is the key to lasting success. Do not allow yourself to become overconfident because you meet with such little resistance in your efforts. Use your power carefully.
- Line 3Yang
Only inferior people boast of their power or demonstrate it ostentatiously. This creates many unnecessary entanglements and, ultimately, danger. Do not persist in this. Concealed power, at this time, has the greatest effect.
- Line 4Yang
When you can work toward your aim and make progress without a great show of power, you create a striking effect. Obstacles give way and your inner strength persists. Good fortune.
- Line 5Yin
You should now let go of an opinionated or stubborn attitude. It is no longer necessary to prove anything. The situation will progress with ease; therefore you do not need to use excessive force.
- Line 6Yin
You have gone so far in the pursuit of your desires that you are at an impasse. Everything you try to do just complicates the situation even further. Seeing the difficulty of this will eventually force you to compose yourself. The entire affair can then be resolved.
Use this hexagram in a reading
These are the same judgment and lines that appear when hexagram 34 comes up in a cast. Ask a question to see which lines change, or keep a journal of your readings.