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.
Legge
Read as
The judgment
Legge
利貞。
Great Power necessitates firm correctness.
The six lines
line 1 is at the bottom
- Line 1Yang
壯于趾，征凶，有孚。
Even if you possess the strength, moving forward with your plan would be unwise. Forcing the issue is not a viable option at this time.
- Line 2Yang
貞吉。
Being moderate now is crucial for achieving lasting success. Don’t let a lack of resistance make you overconfident. Use your strength judiciously.
- Line 3Yang
小人用壯，君子用罔，貞厲。羝羊觸藩，羸其角。
Only those of low character boast or flaunt their power, leading to unnecessary complications and risk. Avoid this; hidden strength is more effective now.
- Line 4Yang
貞吉悔亡，藩決不羸，壯于大輿之輹。
If you make progress towards your goals without displaying excessive power, you'll create a significant impact. Obstacles will yield, and your inner strength will continue to thrive. This brings good fortune.
- Line 5Yin
喪羊于易，无悔。
It's time to let go of stubbornness or rigid opinions. You no longer need to prove yourself. The situation will flow smoothly; excessive force won't be necessary.
- Line 6Yin
羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。
You’ve come so far in pursuing your goals that you find yourself stuck. Every attempt to advance only complicates matters further. Recognizing this will help you find calm, allowing for resolution.
When this hexagram changes
These are the moves that have come up most often in readings. Each page keeps the book text.
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. The throw uses the odds of three coins: how a reading is cast.