Hexagram 34 · King Wen sequence
Disciplined Power
大壯 · dà zhuàng
Modern reflection
Great power requires restraint, fairness, and right timing.
Lower trigram: 乾 Heaven
Upper trigram: 震 Thunder
Historical source
Tâ Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
(The trigram representing) heaven and above it that for thunder form Tâ Kwang. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not take a step which is not according to propriety.
James Legge, 1882, public domain. Historical wording is shown for source transparency, not as a guaranteed prediction.Changing-line passages
- Line 1The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,--most certainly.
- Line 2The second NINE, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune.
- Line 3The third NINE, undivided, shows, in the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.
- Line 4The 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.
- Line 5The fifth SIX, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
- Line 6The sixth SIX, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
Ready to build a six-line reading?
Cast a hexagram