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The Power of the Great

大壮 (Dà Zhuàng)

Hexagram #34

Hexagram Structure

6
Yang Line
5
Yang Line
4
Yang Line
3
Yang Line
2
Yin Line
1
Yin Line

Upper Trigram

Thunder

Lower Trigram

Heaven

Core Essence

Keywords

strengthpowerrighteousnesspropriety

Meaning

Represents great strength and power that must be used righteously and properly.

Guidance

Use your power responsibly. Great strength requires great wisdom and restraint.

Classical Texts

Judgment

The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.

大壮:利贞。

Image

Thunder in the sky above: the image of the Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.

雷在天上,大壮;君子以非礼勿履。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Great Power hexagram symbolizes great strength that needs restraint. 'Da Zhuang' means great power, like thunder shaking the sky. But excessive power can easily lose control and needs wisdom to guide it. Xiang Yu could lift a cauldron but ultimately lost to Liu Bang due to lacking the wisdom of Da Zhuang. The Da Zhuang hexagram teaches us: having power is good, but more importantly is how to use power correctly.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Thunder Lower Trigram: Heaven **Judgment Analysis:** The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. 大壮:利贞。 **Image Wisdom:** Thunder in the sky above: the image of the Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order. 雷在天上,大壮;君子以非礼勿履。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of The Power of the Great can guide us: • Use your power responsibly. Great strength requires great wisdom and restraint. • Keywords: strength, power, righteousness, propriety • Core Concept: Represents great strength and power that must be used righteously and properly.

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