I Ching Hexagram 26: Great Accumulation (大畜)
Overview
The Creative is tamed by Kên, Keeping Still. This produces great power, a situation in contrast to that of the ninth hexagram, Hsiao Ch'u, THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL, in which the Creative is tamed by the Gentle alone. There one weak line must tame five strong lines, but here four strong lines are restrained by two weak lines; in addition to a minister, there is a prince, and the restraining power therefore is afar stronger. The hexagram has a threefold meaning, expressing different aspects of the concept "Holding firm." Heaven within the mountain gives the idea of holding firm in the sense of holding together; the trigram Kên which holds the trigram ch'ien still, gives the idea of holding firm in the sense of holding back; the third idea is that of holding firm in the sense of caring for and nourishing. This last is suggested by the fact that a strong line at the top, which is the ruler of the hexagram, is honored and tended as a sage. The third of these meanings also attaches specifically to this strong line at the top, which represents the sage.
The Judgment — Wilhelm/Baynes Translation
THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.
— Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, The I Ching or Book of Changes (Princeton University Press, 1950)
The Image — Wilhelm/Baynes Translation
Heaven within the mountain: The image of THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT. Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity And many deeds of the past, In order to strengthen his character thereby.
— Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, The I Ching or Book of Changes (1950)
Commentary
Heaven within the mountain points to hidden treasures. In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past.
The Six Lines — Complete Commentary
Each line represents a stage in the unfolding situation. A line becomes "changing" when it transforms during divination.
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Line 1
Danger is at hand. It furthers one to desist.
A man wishes to make vigorous advance, but circumstances present an obstacle. He sees himself held back firmly. If he should attempt to fore an advance, it would lead him into misfortune. Therefore it is better for him to compose himself and to wait until an outlet is offered for release of his stored-up energies. -
Line 2
The axletrees are taken from the wagon.
Here advance is checked just as in the third line of THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL
9. However, in the later the restraining force is slight; thus a conflict arises between the propulsive and the restraining movement, as a result of which the spokes fall out of the wagon wheels, while here the restraining force is absolutely superior; hence no struggle takes place. One submits and removes the axletrees from the wagon -in other words, contents himself with waiting. In this way energy accumulates for a vigorous advance later on. -
Line 3
A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger, With perseverance, furthers. Practice chariot driving and armed defense daily. It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
The way opens; the hindrance has been cleared away. A man is in contact with a strong will acting in the same direction as his own, and goes forward like one good horse following another. But danger still threatens, and he must remain aware of it, or he will be robbed of his firmness. Thus he must acquire skill on the one hand in what will take him forward, and on the other in what will protect him against unforeseen attacks. It is good in such a pass to have a goal toward which to strive. -
Line 4
The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune.
This line and the one following it are the two that tame the forward-pushing lower lines. Before a bull's horns grow out, a headboard is fastened to its forehead, so that later when the horns appear they cannot do harm. A good way to restrain wild force is to forestall it. By so doing one achieves an easy and great success. -
Line 5
The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune.
Here the restraining of the impetuous forward drive is achieved in an indirect way. A boar's tusk is in itself dangerous, but if the boar's nature is altered, the tusk is no longer a menace. Thus also where men are concerned, wild force should not be combated directly; instead, its roots should be eradicated. -
Line 6
One attains the way of heaven.
Success.
The time of obstruction is past. The energy long dammed up by inhibition forces its way out and achieves great success. This refers to a man who is honored by the ruler and whose principles now prevail and shape the world.
♥ Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation — Love & Relationships
Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation (大畜, dàchù), brings a profound and timely message to love and relationships. The interplay of KEEPING STILL over THE CREATIVE — MOUNTAIN resting upon HEAVEN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your relationships. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of emotional connection.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation appears in response to questions about partnership, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of MOUNTAIN above and HEAVEN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
★ Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation — Career & Work
Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation (大畜, dàchù), brings a profound and timely message to professional life and career development. The interplay of KEEPING STILL over THE CREATIVE — MOUNTAIN resting upon HEAVEN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your work. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of professional growth.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation appears in response to questions about career path, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of MOUNTAIN above and HEAVEN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
◆ Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation — Money & Finances
Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation (大畜, dàchù), brings a profound and timely message to financial matters. The interplay of KEEPING STILL over THE CREATIVE — MOUNTAIN resting upon HEAVEN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your resources. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of material abundance.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation appears in response to questions about financial security, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of MOUNTAIN above and HEAVEN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
☤ Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation — Health & Wellbeing
Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation (大畜, dàchù), brings a profound and timely message to health and wellbeing. The interplay of KEEPING STILL over THE CREATIVE — MOUNTAIN resting upon HEAVEN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your body and mind. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of physical vitality.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation appears in response to questions about wellness journey, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of MOUNTAIN above and HEAVEN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
☯ Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation — Spiritual Growth
Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation (大畜, dàchù), brings a profound and timely message to spiritual development. The interplay of KEEPING STILL over THE CREATIVE — MOUNTAIN resting upon HEAVEN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your inner life. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of spiritual growth.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation appears in response to questions about the path of wisdom, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of MOUNTAIN above and HEAVEN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
△ Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation — Business & Strategy
Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation (大畜, dàchù), brings a profound and timely message to business and commerce. The interplay of KEEPING STILL over THE CREATIVE — MOUNTAIN resting upon HEAVEN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your enterprise. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of commercial success.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation appears in response to questions about business ventures, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of MOUNTAIN above and HEAVEN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 26 Great Accumulation mean?
To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the ruler. The trigram Ch'ein points to strong creative power; Kên indicates firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times; but in periods when there is a great storing
Is Hexagram 26 a yes or no?
The I Ching does not provide simple yes or no answers. Hexagram 26, Great Accumulation, offers guidance about the quality and direction of the current moment. Consult the judgment and image texts above for specific direction relevant to your question.
What are the changing lines in Hexagram 26?
Changing lines indicate points of transformation within your reading. Each of the six lines in Hexagram 26 carries its own meaning — see the complete line commentary above for detailed guidance on each position.
Have a question about this hexagram?
Get a Personalized Great Accumulation ReadingSources
- Wilhelm, Richard & Baynes, Cary F. The I Ching or Book of Changes. Princeton University Press, 1950.
- Legge, James. The I Ching: Book of Changes. Dover Publications, 1963.
- Huang, Alfred. The Complete I Ching. Inner Traditions, 1998.
Commentary
To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the ruler. The trigram Ch'ein points to strong creative power; Kên indicates firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times; but in periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honored, as in the case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn one's bread by entering upon public office. Such a man is in harmony with heaven; therefore even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed.