Thunder above – Heaven below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Da Zhuang. Da means large or great and Zhuang means strength. Other titles are: Great Power, Big and Strong, Great Vigor. The enduring strength of Heaven combining with the vigorous, robust assets of Thunder provide incredible power. Ancient diviners taught that such a power was not meant for indiscriminate action. They utilized ritual such as divination to bring themselves into the understanding of Heaven’s directive. According to their teachings, having great power or great strength means it is important to look to divination (or by whatever means one comes to learn one’s true path) and apply that power only as called for.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Heaven is below (the bottom 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Heaven’s pure yang energy is the origin of everything. The powerful order of Heaven also directs the timing of all within the universe through the purity of its invisible creative life force. Heaven internally brings divine order and strength to whatever is expressed through the outer trigram Thunder.
Trigram Thunder is on top of trigram Heaven (see the top 3 lines in image below right). Thunder is a forceful, sudden useable energy which moves things into beginnings and renewals. In Da Zhuang, Thunder brings the powers of Heaven into the reality of your environment, triggering the need for great care in the use of this power.
The ancient ideograph is on the upper left portion of the image below. The top figure is of a human being which, in addition to Heaven and Earth, the ancients saw as “great”. There is an old-style weapon on the lower left while on the lower right an image of a person of robust strength (which later depicted a scholar or intellect) standing firm with arms outstretched. Taken all together there is an image of great strength.
In summary: Da Zhuang shows the power of Heaven moving up and being distributed through the voice of Thunder; a charge of untapped potential. Truly great power comes from the resolve to restrain and guide one’s instincts, emotions and appetites. Although you may have formidable strength and a will to press forward, authentic power comes from respecting the laws, timing, expectations and limitations of your environmental reality. Force is not the same as power. The use of force will only provoke resistance; power, when used correctly does not meet resistance. Genuine power is exercised effectively when the timing is right. When expressed in its purest form, it incorporates and integrates the will of creative, universal law.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – Even while you may feel inner strength combined with an impulse to jump into action, guidance shows your foundation does not have the requisite strength. This excess of yang-based energy can be unbalanced showing this is not the time to push forward.
Line 2 – Being in a position of great strength comes with the temptation to overuse this attribute. True power, true strength does not need to be displayed or exerted over others. Self-mastery, walking the middle road is the key to lasting success.
Line 3 – If a ram butts against an obstacle without foresight, his horns can become entangled. This is an image of great strength used impulsively. When an issue is heedlessly forced, it often ends in such an impasse. It is better to work without drawing attention to yourself and allow for the unfolding of a situation rather than trying to force it.
Line 4 – With inner determination, quiet strength, sincerity and repeated small, smart actions, there is a possibility to move through as obstacles are cleared. This is also the way power is accumulated.
Line 5 – Even if things are not working out as one would hope, there is likely not to be harm. Aggression or obstinacy works against you. According to the situation, one may decide to withdraw from firm action or utilize moderate actions which allow others time to respond without triggering instinctive rebuttals.
Line 6 – The presence of deadlock or impasse prompts guidance requiring patience and a new perspective. Difficulties provide great opportunities to expand awareness so, accept and integrate lessons in a constructive manner. There is the suggestion that things will resolve if one is willing to allow for a natural resolution.