Hexagram 28
Ta KuoPreponderance of the Great
Lake (Dui) · Wind (Xun)
The image
The lake rises above the trees: The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT. Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, Is unconcerned, And if he has to renounce the world, He is undaunted.
This hexagram in one line
This hexagram consists of four strong lines inside and two weak lines outside. When the strong are outside and the weak inside, all is well and there is nothing out of balance, nothing extraordinary in the situation. Here, however, the opposite is the case. The hexagram represents a beam that is thick and heavy in the middle but too weak at the ends. This is a condition that cannot last; it must be changed, must pass, or misfortune will result.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Wind blows beneath heaven
Hexagram Judgment
PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. Success.
The weight of the great is excessive. The load is too heavy for the strength of the supports. The ridgepole, on which the whole roof rests, sags to the breaking point, because its supporting ends are too weak for the load they bear. It is an exceptional time and situation; therefore extraordinary measures are demanded. It is necessary to find a way of transition as quickly as possible, and to take action. This promises success. For although the strong element is in excess, it is in the middle, that is, at the center of gravity, so that a revolution is not to be feared. Nothing is to be achieved by forcible measures. The problem must be solved by gentle penetration to the meaning of the situation (as is suggested by the attribute of the inner trigram, Sun); then the change-over to other conditions will be successful. It demands real superiority; therefore the time when the great preponderates is a momentous time.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Lake (Dui)
- Lake · Joy
- Wind (Xun)
- Wind · Penetrating
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
Preponderance of the Great. The great is in a preponderant place. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point because the firm is represented by two weak lines at top and bottom. The yielding finds place and thereby is joyous; the firm is in the center and thereby is able to interact. Thus 'it furthers one to have somewhere to go' and 'success.'
Preponderance of the Great shows greatness exceeding normal bounds. The ridgepole sags because firmness is surrounded by weakness above and below. The yielding finds proper place and is joyous; the firm is central and can interact. Thus progress and success are possible.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
The lake rises above the trees: The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT. Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, Is unconcerned, And if he has to renounce the world, He is undaunted.
Extraordinary times when the great preponderates are like floodtimes when the lake rises over the treetops. But such conditions are temporary. The two trigrams indicate the attitude proper to such exceptional times: the symbol of the trigram Sun is the tree, which stands firm even though it stands alone, and the attribute of Tui is joyousness, which remains undaunted even if it must renounce the world.
Further
Related hexagrams
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- Hexagram CareerHexagram 28 (Preponderance of the Great) in Career: I Ching Guidance for Work and Professional LifeWhat does Hexagram 28 (Preponderance of the Great) mean for your career? The weight of the great is excessive. The load is too heavy for the strength of the supports. The ridgepole, on which the whole roof rests, sags to the breaking... Learn how the I Ching guides professional decisions, leadership, timing, and workplace dynamics.
- Hexagram HealthHexagram 28 (Preponderance of the Great) in Health: I Ching Guidance for Wellbeing and VitalityWhat does Hexagram 28 (Preponderance of the Great) suggest about health and wellbeing? The weight of the great is excessive. The load is too heavy for the strength of the supports. The ridgepole, on which the whole roof rests, sags to the breaking... Explore how the I Ching frames the balance of energy, rest, and renewal.
Frequently asked questions
What does Ta Kuo / Preponderance of the Great mean in the I Ching?
The weight of the great is excessive. The load is too heavy for the strength of the supports. The ridgepole, on which the whole roof rests, sags to the breaking...
How should I study Hexagram 28 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. When a man wishes to undertake an enterprise in extraordinary times, he must be extraordinarily cautious, just as when setting a heavy thing down on the floor, one takes care to pu...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Preponderance of the Great shows greatness exceeding normal bounds. The ridgepole sags because firmness is surrounded by weakness above and below. The yielding finds proper place and is joyous; the firm is central and ca...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.