Hexagram 62
Hsiao KuoPreponderance of the Small
Thunder (Zhen) · Mountain (Gen)
The 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.
This hexagram in one line
While in the hexagram Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the strong lines preponderate and are within, inclosed between weak lines at the top and bottom, the present hexagram has weak lines preponderating, though here again they are on the outside, the strong lines being within. This indeed is the basis of the exceptional situation indicated by the hexagram. When strong lines are outside, we have the hexagram I, PROVIDING NOURISHMENT (27), or Chung Fu, INNER TRUTH (61); neither represents an exceptional state. When strong elements within preponderate, they necessarily enforce their will. This creates struggle and exceptional conditions in general. But in the present hexagram it is the weak element that perforce must mediate with the outside world. If a man occupies a position of authority for which he is by nature really inadequate, extraordinary prudence is necessary.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Thunder meets below mountain
Hexagram 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.
Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however, if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined always with a correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the demands of the time in order to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies and damages. In any event we must not count on great success, since the requisite strength is lacking. In this lies the importance of the message that one should not strive after lofty things but hold to lowly things. The structure of the hexagram gives rise to the idea that this message is brought by a bird. In Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the four strong, heavy lines within, supported only by two weak lines without, give the image of a sagging ridgepole. Here the supporting weak lines are both outside and preponderant; this gives the image of a soaring bird. But a bird should not try to surpass itself and fly into the sun; it should descend to the earth, where its nest is. In this way it gives the message conveyed by the hexagram.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Thunder (Zhen)
- Thunder · Arousing
- Mountain (Gen)
- Mountain · Stillness
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
Preponderance of the Small: the small passes and attains success. To act at the right time is advantageous for perseverance. The yielding attains the middle, hence good fortune in small matters. The hard is not in its place and does not attain the middle; hence great things should not be done. There is the image of a flying bird in it. The flying bird brings the message: it is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune: striving upward is rebellion, remaining below is devotion.
Preponderance of the Small means the small exceeds and thus succeeds. Excess joined to perseverance accords with the time. The yielding attains the middle, so small matters are fortunate. The hard loses its place and is not centered, so great matters should not be undertaken. It bears the image of a flying bird: its message is that it is not fitting to go upward but fitting to stay below. Great good fortune.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
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.
Thunder on the mountain is different from thunder on the plain. In the mountains, thunder seems much nearer; outside the mountains, it is less audible than the thunder of an ordinary storm. Thus the superior man derives an imperative from this image: he must always fix his eyes more closely and more directly on duty than does the ordinary man, even though this might make his behavior seem petty to the outside world. He is exceptionally conscientious in his actions. In bereavement emotion means more to him than ceremoniousness. In all his personal expenditures he is extremely simple and unpretentious. In comparison with the man of the masses, all this makes him stand out as exceptional. But the essential significance of his attitude lies in the fact that in external matters he is on the side of the lowly.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
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Frequently asked questions
What does Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small mean in the I Ching?
Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however, if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that they should...
How should I study Hexagram 62 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. A bird ought to remain in the nest until it is fledged. If it tries to fly before this, it invites misfortune. Extraordinary measures should be resorted to only when all else fails...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Preponderance of the Small means the small exceeds and thus succeeds. Excess joined to perseverance accords with the time. The yielding attains the middle, so small matters are fortunate. The hard loses its place and is...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.