Fêng / AbundanceThunder and Lightning

Hexagram 55 ·

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is dir...

First
Nine
Second
Six
Third
Nine
Fourth
Nine
Fifth
Six
Top
Six
Quick Guide

Chên is movement; Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without—this produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.

Hexagram Judgment

ABUNDANCE has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.

Tuan Commentary

Abundance means greatness. Clarity and movement bring abundance. The king attains abundance because he is great. Be not sad. It is fitting to see the sun at midday: this means one should illumine the whole world. When the sun stands at midday, it begins to set; when the moon is full, it begins to wane. Heaven and earth in their fullness and emptiness alternate with time. How much more is this true of man, how much more of the spirits and gods!

Abundance means greatness. Clarity joined with movement creates abundance. The king attains it by honoring greatness. Do not worry. It is fitting to be like the sun at midday, shining over all under heaven. Yet when the sun reaches midday it begins to decline, and when the moon is full it begins to wane. Heaven and earth wax and empty with the seasons, how much more so human beings and spirits.

Great Image

Both thunder and lightning come: The image of ABUNDANCE. Thus the superior man decides lawsuits And carries out punishments.

This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down; here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.

Line Judgments
FirstNine

When a man meets his destined ruler, They can be together ten days, And it is not a mistake. Going meets with recognition.

To bring about a time of abundance, a union of clarity with energetic movement is needed. Two individuals possessed of these two attributes are suited to each other, and even if they spend an entire cycle of time together during the period of abundance, it will not be too long, nor is it a mistake. Therefore one may go forth, in order to make one’s influence felt; it will meet with recognition.

Small Image

When a man meets his destined ruler, their going is not a mistake.

Meeting destined ruler means going is no mistake.

SecondSix

The curtain is of such fullness That the polestars can be seen at noon. Through going one meets with mistrust and hate. If one rouses him through truth, Good fortune comes.

It often happens that plots and party intrigues, which have the darkening effect of an eclipse of the sun, come between a ruler intent on great achievement and the man who could effect great undertakings. Then, instead of the sun, we see the northern stars in the sky. The ruler is overshadowed by a party that has usurped power. If a man at such a time were to try to take energetic measures, he would encounter only mistrust and envy, which would prohibit all movement. The essential thing then is to hold inwardly to the power of truth, which in the end is so strong that it exerts an invisible influence on the ruler, so that all goes well.

Small Image

The polestars can be seen at noon: there is darkness and light. If one rouses him through truth: his mind is opened.

Polestars at noon shows darkness and light. Rousing through truth opens the mind.

ThirdNine

The underbrush is of such abundance That the small stars can be seen at noon. He breaks his right arm. No blame.

The image is that of a progressive covering over of the sun. Here the eclipse reaches totality, therefore even the small stars can be seen at noon. In the sphere of social relationships, this means that the prince is now so eclipsed that even the most insignificant persons can push themselves into the foreground. This makes it impossible for an able man, though he might be the right hand of the ruler, to undertake anything. It is as though his arm were broken, but he is not to blame for being thus hindered in action.

Small Image

The small stars can be seen at noon: it cannot be continued. He breaks his right arm: in the end there is no help for it.

Small stars at noon cannot be continued. Breaking right arm means no help in the end.

FourthNine

The curtain is of such fullness That the polestars can be seen at noon. He meets his ruler, who is of like kind. Good fortune.

Here the darkness is already decreasing, therefore interrelated elements come together. Here too the complement must be found—the necessary wisdom to complement joy of action. Then everything will go well. The complementary factor postulated here is the reverse of the one in the first line. In the latter, wisdom is to be complemented by energy, while here energy is complemented by wisdom.

Small Image

The polestars can be seen at noon: his place is not the proper one. He meets his ruler, who is of like kind: action brings blessing.

Polestars at noon shows improper place. Meeting ruler of like kind brings blessing through action.

FifthSix

Lines are coming, Blessing and fame draw near. Good fortune.

The ruler is modest and therefore open to the counsel of able men. Thus he is surrounded by men who suggest to him the lines of action. This brings blessing, fame, and good fortune to him and all the people.

Small Image

Blessing and fame draw near: there is something to celebrate.

Blessing and fame drawing near means something to celebrate.

TopSix

His house is in a state of abundance. He screens off his family. He peers through the gate And no longer perceives anyone. For three years he sees nothing. Misfortune.

This describes a man who because of his arrogance and obstinacy attains the opposite of what he strives for. He seeks abundance and splendor for his dwelling. He wishes at all odds to be master in his house, which so alienates his family that in the end he finds himself completely isolated.

Small Image

His house is in a state of abundance: he screens himself off. He looks through the gate and no longer sees anyone: he screens himself off.

House abundant with screening off means he screens himself off.

Frequently asked questions

What does Fêng / Abundance mean in the I Ching?

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is dir...

How should I study Hexagram 55 on this page?

Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. To bring about a time of abundance, a union of clarity with energetic movement is needed. Two individuals possessed of these two attributes are suited to each other, and even if th...

How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?

Abundance means greatness. Clarity joined with movement creates abundance. The king attains it by honoring greatness. Do not worry. It is fitting to be like the sun at midday, shining over all under heaven. Yet when the...

Sources and Method

Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.

Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.

Zhouyi / I Ching primary text: The received text of the Book of Changes, including the Judgment, Image, and line statements.

The I Ching or Book of Changes, Richard Wilhelm / Cary F. Baynes: Princeton University Press translation used as a major English-language reference point for names, structure, and commentary framing.

The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism, James Legge: Classical English reference used for comparative reading of source terminology and commentarial tradition.

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Abundance means greatness. Clarity joined with movement creates abundance. The king attains it by honoring greatness. Do not worry. It is fitting to be like the sun at midday, shining over all under heaven. Yet when the...

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