Thunder above – Earth below
Yu, the Chinese name for this hexagram, originally meant “delight” or “giant elephant” to signify something large and entertaining. Delight is also called Weaving Images, Happiness and Readiness. I Ching diviners describe the hexagram image (at its best) as Thunder moving in a boisterous, exciting manner while Earth follows with cheerful submissiveness, setting a joyful and inspiring rhythm. This is an archetype of inspiration, motivation and enthusiasm which drives creativity.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Earth is below (as in the lower 3 lines of image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Trigram Earth brings the attributes of nurturing receptivity and generosity. Earth’s space allows ideas to grow into reality and confers the ability to carry on, even when no goal seems possible. She also carries space for a solution, if one is willing to wait for it, because the earth’s “power to thrive” is at the core of this hexagram.
Trigram Thunder is on top of trigram Earth. Thunder, as a fertilizing and useable force, bursts forth from Earth causing eggs to hatch and waking up seedlings which have been nestled within Earth. Thunder carries beginnings and relief that things are going to be able to move again. It also carries these images far distances with enthusiasm that inspires and delights; renewing life again and again.
The ancient ideograph is on the left portion of the image below. The left part symbolizes two hands, one showing the arm, and a small object between them. This illustrates giving and receiving. The right part is an image on an elephant standing, facing forward and the trunk raised. In northern China elephants were trained to entertain people which delighted the people. Together the ideograph is about delight, either enjoyed individually or given to others.
In summary: Thunder emerging from Earth is descriptive of an archetypal concept with many implications. Yu has been identified as power which connects humans to the divine (as in the “inspired artist” or any work where imagination is fired). Hexagram 16 connects the visible (Earth) with the invisible (Thunder). One manifestation is being transported into “the zone” where it is easy to get lost or carried away (in both good and not-so-good ways).
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – There is a sense of the beginner being immediately over-enchanted – impulsive action, an excess of enthusiasm which turns boastful or some such strong emotion/attitude. An exaggeration may feel euphoric in the moment, but reality needs to be grown, nurtured and supported within the situation.
Line 2 – In the energy of a situation of “delight” most tend to overindulge (the other five lines indicate the ways in which overindulgence can occur). This second line placement is an exception, showing an ability to hold firm to reality with prudent consideration. Inner firmness is a necessary precursor to achievement (as long as firmness does not turn into rigidity which may block inspiration).
Line 3 – At this placement one tends to inaction or to rely on others to support their enthusiasm. Being inspired by others is not a bad thing, but if one gets entangled with aims of an idol without the inspiration matching with their own internal values, there may be cause for regret.
Line 4 – As the only yang (solid line) placement in the hexagram, the ancients suggest one can obtain the trust of supporters, even when their aims or goals are not yet visible. Guidance further recommend not indulging in doubts, suspicions or force but rather, to allow the “root or germ of the goal” itself to gain and unite the needed support.
Line 5 – Difficulties and afflictions are natural and necessary parts of the cycles of inspiration and creativity. The romantic image of the “starving artist” comes from the fact that creativity needs the friction of blockage and difficulties to breakthrough and blossom. There is a need to mobilize and use the blockage as a source of illumination.
Line 6 – There an imminent need to make a change of direction because something has reached its peak. The past is over and illusions seem to linger. To continue without leaving all remaining illusions behind leads nowhere. There is real merit and a credible potential for success in realizing this and moving on.