Hexagram 34 · 大壮 · Dà Zhuàng
Great Power
- Element:
- Thunder over Heaven
- Key themes:
- strength, power, assertiveness, caution, balance
Image
Thunder above heaven, symbolizing great power and strength.
Overall message
Hexagram 34 represents the concept of great power and strength. It emphasizes the importance of using power wisely, maintaining balance, and acting with caution. Success comes from harnessing your strength responsibly and maintaining harmony.
Embrace your strength and power, but act with caution and balance. Success comes from using your power wisely and maintaining harmony.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. Tâ Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
Image. (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.
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · Completion of Power
The period of great power is complete. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.
Reflect on the experience and learn from it. Prepare for future actions.
Line 5 · Leadership in Power
Strong leadership enhances the use of power and strength.
Lead with strength and wisdom. Ensure your actions benefit others.
Line 4 · Wise Use of Power
Use your power wisely and responsibly. Avoid excess.
Act with wisdom and responsibility. Avoid overexertion.
Line 3 · Overcoming Challenges
Challenges may arise, but they can be overcome with strength and determination.
Stay determined and resilient. Overcome challenges with your strength.
Line 2 · Building Power
Power is gradually built through steady efforts.
Focus on building your strength. Stay balanced and focused.
Line 1 · Initial Strength
The beginning of a period of great strength. Be cautious and balanced.
Start with a strong foundation. Use your power wisely and cautiously.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 20 · 观 · Guān. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.
Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 43 · 夬 · Guài. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 32 · 恒 · Héng
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 55 · 丰 · Fēng
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 54 · 归妹 · Guī Mèi
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 11 · 泰 · Tài
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 43 · 夬 · Guài
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 14 · 大有 · Dà Yǒu