Hexagram 26 of 64
Great Taming大畜
Heaven within the mountain. The noble person studies the words and deeds of the past to build up virtue.
- Upper
- Mountain
- Lower
- Heaven
- Order
- 26 / 64
利貞，不家食吉，利涉大川。
Judgment: Steadiness pays. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It helps to cross the great river.
天在山中，大畜；君子以多識前言往行，以畜其德。
Image: Heaven within the mountain. The noble person studies the words and deeds of the past to build up virtue.
In plain words
The situation: You have stored up great strength.
What you can do: Keep learning and building, and big things can follow.
For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.
The six lines
- 上九何天之衢，亨。The open road of heaven. Success.In shortThe road opens wide and the way is clear; you can go ahead freely.
- 六五豶豕之牙，吉。The tusks of a gelded boar. Good fortune.In shortDefuse the force at its root instead of meeting it head on; this works well.
- 六四童牛之牿，元吉。A guard board on the young bull's horns. Great good fortune.In shortRein things in early while they are still small; this is very favorable.
- 九三良馬逐，利艱貞，曰閑輿衛，利有攸往。Good horses race on. It helps to stay steady through hardship. Say: drill with chariots and defense. It helps to go forward.In shortLike good horses running, stay upright through hardship, train daily and guard well; moving on works.
- 九二輿說輹。The axle block comes off the cart.In shortThe cart has lost its axle; you cannot move yet, so stop and build strength.
- 初九有厲利已。There is danger. It helps to stop.In shortThere is danger ahead; it is better to stop for now.
Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.