Hexagram 26: Dà Chù (大畜卦) – The Great Accumulation
This hexagram is a combination of two opposing hexagrams, with Qián (乾) at the bottom and Gèn (艮) at the top. Qiánrepresents the sky and is associated with strength and perseverance, while Gèn represents the mountain and symbolizes solidity and firmness. Chù (畜) means to accumulate, which involves both the concepts of storing up and halting. Dà Chù(大畜) signifies the accumulation of a great amount of resources.
The life philosophy behind this hexagram reflects the idea of stopping without really stopping. While it may seem like progress has ceased, this moment is actually the time to accumulate knowledge and strength. It advises people not to fear difficulties or obstacles but to focus on self-cultivation, nourishing one’s character, and enriching their virtues.
Both Dà Chù and Xiǎo Chù (小畜, the Lesser Accumulation) relate to the concept of storing up. The difference is that in Xiǎo Chù, the hexagram symbol (卦象) shows an imbalance with a single Yīn (阴) line accumulating energy from five Yáng (阳) lines. This represents a situation where the strength is insufficient, leading to a temporary halt in action to gather resources. This symbolizes a sage or capable person in a chaotic world, forced to retreat and quietly nurture their virtues and knowledge, waiting for a more opportune time. On the other hand, Dà Chù symbolizes a large-scale accumulation, like a mountain that houses all the natural resources of the world. It refers to a wise ruler who gathers talented individuals and uses their potential to achieve great things.
Interpretation from “Duàn Yì Tiān Jī” (断易天机)
Dà Chù consists of Gèn above and Qián below, forming the Gèn Gōng Èr Shì Guà (艮宫二世卦), which is associated with the idea of halting to accumulate power and resources, indicating a time of stability and growth.
Interpretation by Shao Yong (邵雍), Song Dynasty
By accumulating Yáng and controlling Yīn, this hexagram suggests halting to prevent rash advancement. It advises adherence to the right path, suggesting that success will follow after initial difficulties.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong (傅佩荣), Renowned Scholar from Taiwan
- Fortune: Be patient and wait for two years of stability before expecting a turn of luck.
- Wealth: Temporarily hold steady, and good opportunities will arrive.
- Family: The family business will grow steadily, and marriage will be harmonious.
- Health: Strength and vitality will improve.
Traditional Interpretation
This hexagram is the combination of Qián (乾) at the bottom and Gèn (艮) at the top. The image of Qián as the sky and Gèn as the mountain suggests a process of accumulation—storing up power and energy. This hexagram encourages not fearing difficulties or obstacles but focusing on self-cultivation and improving one’s virtues.
Big Picture Symbolism:
The great expanse of the sky exists within the mountain. The mountain’s solidity and stillness form a counterbalance to the vastness above, accumulating Yīn energy while containing Yáng energy. This teaches us to pause and nurture resources.
Fortune: When dealing with tasks, avoid aiming too high or rushing. Stay grounded and focus on steady progress. Patience and diligence will lead to success. Do not be arrogant or dismissive of others.
Career: Maintain upright conduct and develop your virtues. Act boldly and decisively, but know when to stop and reflect. Be cautious of taking unnecessary risks, and learn from the experiences of those who have gone before you. Once success is achieved, know when to stop and not to be lured into seeking short-term gains.
Business: Follow a gradual, step-by-step approach, ensuring that your business practices align with ethical principles. Do not be overly greedy, but be strategic, thinking carefully before expanding. Rush and overconfidence will lead to failure.
Seeking Fame: Focus on accumulating knowledge and improving your character. Avoid being inconsistent in your efforts. With persistence, your ambitions will be realized through service to others, and your contributions will ultimately bear fruit.
Marriage and Relationships: This is a favorable time for relationships. A foundation built on mutual diligence and honesty will lead to a happy and harmonious union.
Decision-Making: For those accumulating wealth, avoid shortcuts or opportunistic approaches. Success depends on honest work and sincere efforts. Always keep your principles intact, especially when faced with adversity. Maintain integrity in difficult times, and remember that while large achievements are possible, so too are large obstacles.
Philosophical Meaning of the First Line in Hexagram Dà Chù
Chū Jiǔ (初九): Yǒu lì, lì yǐ (有厉，利已).
Interpretation of the Line:
Lì (厉) refers to danger, and Yǐ (已) means to stop.
The meaning of this line is: when faced with danger, it is advisable to stop. Stopping in the face of danger prevents disaster from occurring.
Life Philosophy:
When a new illness begins to manifest, the situation may appear ominous, like a lone goose flying across the horizon. However, in the early stages, it is better to stop and reflect, rather than rush forward. The moment of danger can be avoided by halting, thus averting the worst consequences.
Verse Interpretation:
- “Disease is beginning, a solitary goose flocks alone.”
- “The sun tilts in the sky, the sails regret the still lake.”
- “The snail’s corner, the knife’s edge brings benefits; but matters of the heart differ.”
- “The dark clouds are swept away, the bright moon rises high again.”
Transformation of the First Line:
The first line’s movement leads to the transformation into Hexagram 18: Shān Fēng Gǔ (山风蛊), which consists of Xùn(巽) below and Gèn (艮) above. Gǔ refers to a situation of decay or disorder. Originally, it referred to something left unused that became infected with pests, symbolizing societal decay or stagnation. This hexagram encourages change, renewal, and the correction of corrupt practices, a necessary step to save a society or business facing crisis and to restore its vitality.
Philosophical Meaning of the Second Line in Hexagram Dà Chù
Jiǔ Èr (九二): Yú shuō fú (舆说輹).
Interpretation of the Line:
Yú (舆) refers to a cart, and fú (说) means to detach, while fú (輹) means the axle of the cart.
The meaning of this line is: the cart’s body detaches from the axle and stops moving forward.
Life Philosophy:
In this case, a vehicle’s progress is halted because the axle is detached. This symbolizes a situation where things seem to stop suddenly, and progress cannot continue. This may indicate that one is temporarily stuck or faces an unexpected pause, and now is the time to reflect or reevaluate.
Verse Interpretation:
- “Pushing a cart uphill, halfway the axle slips out.”
- “A star flies across the sky, a maiden weeps by the river.”
- “A mirror breaks in the center, the traveler crosses a broken bridge.”
- “Matters require caution, as stability is not guaranteed.”
Transformation of the Second Line:
The second line’s movement leads to the transformation into Hexagram 22: Shān Huǒ Bì (山火贲), with Lí (离) below and Gèn (艮) above. Lí represents fire and brightness, while Gèn represents the mountain and stillness. This hexagram emphasizes balance between the bright and the substantial, urging a blending of material with decoration. Bì refers to adornment or refinement. This suggests that while the external appearance or form may be attractive, one must not forget the importance of substance and integrity.
Philosophical Meaning of the Third Line in Hexagram Dà Chù
Jiǔ Sān (九三): Liáng mǎ zhú, lì jiān zhēn. Yuē xián yú wèi, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.
Interpretation of the Line:
Liáng mǎ (良马) refers to a good horse, and zhú (逐) means to chase or run. Lì (利) means advantage or benefit, jiān (艰) means hardship, and zhēn (贞) refers to steadfastness or perseverance.
This line signifies that when someone is about to embark on a great endeavor or task, they must be like a warrior preparing for battle—first mastering the necessary skills, such as how to drive a chariot or how to defend oneself. Only when properly prepared can one succeed in difficult situations.
Life Philosophy:
For those starting a new venture or undertaking, constant learning, practice, and personal growth are essential. Only through perseverance and the ability to handle tough situations can one achieve success. However, even with all preparations, challenges will still arise on the path, and it is crucial to remain steadfast.
Verse Interpretation:
- “Riding to pursue plans, but the effort is not yet certain, the pine and cypress stand firm in the cold wind.”
- “In the clouds, we part yet give gifts, like dragons and tigers gaining fame and fortune.”
- “Passing through many barriers, only one remains; fear not its difficulty.”
- “Waiting for the golden wind to scatter the withered leaves, the river’s waves carry the long pole.”
Transformation of the Third Line:
The third line’s movement leads to the transformation into Hexagram 41: Shān Zé Sǔn (山泽损), with Gèn (艮) below and Duì (兑) above. This hexagram symbolizes the idea of reduction, representing a situation where loss or limitation must occur for a greater benefit to follow. It emphasizes careful balance between loss and gain, and one must be cautious not to overextend or push too far. In governance, excessive reduction can weaken the foundation, so any loss should be measured and balanced.
Philosophical Meaning of the Fourth Line in Hexagram Dà Chù
Liù Sì (六四): Tóng niú zhī gù, yuán jí (童牛之牿，元吉).
Interpretation of the Line:
Tóng niú (童牛) refers to a young calf, and gù (牿) refers to a wooden yoke used to control the cow. The phrase “yuán jí” (元吉) signifies a great fortune or auspicious outcome.
This line speaks about education and training. In ancient times, people would tie a wooden yoke to a young calf’s horns to prevent it from harming anyone. By doing so, the wild calf was transformed into a domesticated animal with great value, useful for human purposes. The yoke serves to guide the calf’s energy in the right direction. Chéng Yí (程颐) once said, “A person’s faults can be corrected when they are small, but once they become severe, it is difficult to change them.” Putting a yoke on the calf is like putting a bridle on a horse—it is akin to providing a child with proper education. The ultimate goal is to nurture useful talents. Lǎo Zǐ (老子) said, “The sage always helps others, so no one is abandoned; always helps things, so nothing is abandoned.”
Life Philosophy:
For those starting on a new path, education and training are necessary. By guiding the direction of one’s efforts, just like putting a yoke on a calf, we ensure that our actions will lead to success. For those who take on great responsibilities, offering proper education will shape them into useful and capable individuals.
Verse Interpretation:
- “Crossing the vast land on a young cow, golden chrysanthemums hide sorrow.”
- “On the riverbank where people walk, there is a reason for the future journey.”
- “The magpie calls from the high branch, a traveler crosses the ancient bridge.”
- “Midway is not reachable; as the sun sets, new worries arise.”
Transformation of the Fourth Line:
The fourth line’s movement leads to the transformation into Hexagram 14: Huǒ Tiān Dà Yǒu (火天大有), which consists of Qián (乾) above and Lí (离) below. Lí represents fire and brightness, and Qián represents heaven and strength. When fire shines in the sky, it illuminates everything, and people will follow it. By aligning with the natural course of events and times, one can achieve great success.
Philosophical Meaning of the Fifth Line in Hexagram Dà Chù
Liù Wǔ (六五): Fèn shǐ zhī yá, jí (豮豕之牙，吉).
Interpretation of the Line:
Fèn shǐ (豮豕) refers to a wild boar, and yá (牙) refers to tusks.
This line speaks about the management and taming of others. A wild boar’s tusks are sharp and threatening, but rather than removing the tusks, the best way to tame it is to avoid its sharpness and strike its vulnerable parts, thereby rendering it harmless and domesticated. This represents the principle of using softness to control hardness, which is the method employed by wise rulers when dealing with difficult people. The sage uses wisdom and subtle control, like taming a wild boar, to harness their abilities without causing harm.
Life Philosophy:
When dealing with people of great talent who are proud and hard to control, it is essential to use gentle methods to guide them. Direct force will not work. Instead, find the key to their character and manage them with understanding, so that their talents can be utilized without breaking their spirit. The ability to tame and guide such strong individuals is a skill worth celebrating.
Verse Interpretation:
- “Great virtue, great achievement; always in a position to assist.”
- “Correcting the middle, enduring and overcoming restlessness.”
- “Still waters, calm waves, perfect for fishing; no need to doubt with two or three fish.”
- “Things are harmonious like the moon in the sky, the clouds dissipate, and the moon shines clearly on a crisp autumn night.”
Transformation of the Fifth Line:
The fifth line’s movement leads to the transformation into Hexagram 9: Fēng Tiān Xiǎo Chù (风天小畜), which consists of Qián (乾) above and Xùn (巽) below. Xùn represents wind, and Qián represents heaven. This hexagram speaks to a period of nurturing and growth, with limited power and gradual development, ultimately leading to great success once the necessary conditions are met.
Philosophical Meaning of the Sixth Line in Hexagram Dà Chù
Shàng Jiǔ (上九): Hé tiān zhī qú, hēng (何天之衢，亨).
Interpretation of the Line:
This line represents the phase after accumulation, where rewards and results begin to manifest. The phrase Hé tiān zhī qú(何天之衢) refers to a wide, unobstructed road in the sky, a metaphor for a path that is open and clear.
Life Philosophy:
After accumulating knowledge, resources, or strength, the time has come to move forward and apply them effectively. Those who have developed their abilities will find a smooth path ahead, one that allows them to fulfill their aspirations. This is a period of smooth success and achievement.
Verse Interpretation:
- “The road to the sky is open, everything is clear and prosperous.”
- “A woman with a beautiful cloth bag, tiger’s claws and dragon’s teeth lurking in the field.”
- “There is joy in the matter, things shine brightly.”
- “Everything is smooth, and time flows like the long days in a peaceful world.”
Transformation of the Sixth Line:
The sixth line’s movement leads to the transformation into Hexagram 11: Dì Tiān Tài (地天泰), which consists of Qián(乾) above and Kūn (坤) below. Qián represents heaven and Kūn represents the earth. When the yin and yang forces are in harmony, the universe operates smoothly, and all things are in balance. This hexagram signifies peace and harmony when things are properly aligned and change occurs in the right time.