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Preponderance of the Small

小过 (Xiǎo Guò)

Hexagram #62

Hexagram Structure

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

Upper Trigram

Thunder

Lower Trigram

Mountain

Core Essence

Keywords

humilitysmall actionscautionattention to detail

Meaning

Represents times when small, humble actions are more appropriate than grand gestures.

Guidance

Focus on small, humble actions rather than grand gestures. Pay attention to details.

Classical Texts

Judgment

Preponderance of the Small. Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: It is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune.

小过：亨，利贞。可小事，不可大事。飞鸟遗之音，不宜上宜下，大吉。

Image

Thunder on the mountain: the image of Preponderance of the Small. Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence. In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief. In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.

山上有雷，小过；君子以行过乎恭，丧过乎哀，用过乎俭。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Small Exceeding hexagram warns us of small mistakes and caution. 'Xiao Guo' means small errors, like a bird flying too high. The principle that a thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by ant holes embodies the warning of the Xiao Guo hexagram. The Xiao Guo hexagram teaches us: we should pay attention to small mistakes, prevent problems before they occur, and not lose big things because of small ones.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Thunder Lower Trigram: Mountain **Judgment Analysis:** Preponderance of the Small. Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: It is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune. 小过：亨，利贞。可小事，不可大事。飞鸟遗之音，不宜上宜下，大吉。 **Image Wisdom:** Thunder on the mountain: the image of Preponderance of the Small. Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence. In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief. In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift. 山上有雷，小过；君子以行过乎恭，丧过乎哀，用过乎俭。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of Preponderance of the Small can guide us: • Focus on small, humble actions rather than grand gestures. Pay attention to details. • Keywords: humility, small actions, caution, attention to detail • Core Concept: Represents times when small, humble actions are more appropriate than grand gestures.

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