䷍ Great Possession dà yǒu
Core Meaning
The Da You hexagram symbolizes great harvest and abundance. Fire in heaven, sunlight shines on all things. The yielding obtains a respected position, and all above and below respond to it, a scene of a prosperous era. But one must remember to 'curb evil and promote good.' When there is a harvest, it is even more important to suppress evil acts and promote good virtues, to accord with heavenly mandates and destiny, and not to be arrogant, extravagant, or debauched.
The Judgment
Supreme success.
Interpretation:
The Da You hexagram symbolizes great harvest and supreme success.
The Image
Fire in heaven; Great Possession. The superior person curbs evil and promotes good, in accord with heavenly mandates and destiny.
Structure
Li above, Qian below, fire in heaven. Li represents brightness and abundance, Qian represents strength and vigor, symbolizing sunlight shining everywhere, a rich harvest, and prosperity.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial Nine: If one does not form harmful associations, there will be no blame. If one keeps difficulties in mind, there will be no blame.
Nine in the second place: A large carriage for conveying things. There is a place to go. No blame.
Nine in the third place: A duke uses it to offer sacrifices to the Son of Heaven. Inferior people are unable to do so.
Nine in the fourth place: Not its lavishness. No blame.
Six in the fifth place: Its sincerity is shared, and its majesty is felt. Good fortune.
Top Nine: Aided by Heaven. Good fortune, nothing that is not beneficial.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Your career has reached its peak, with abundant achievements. 'A large carriage for conveying things' indicates plentiful results. 'A duke uses it to offer sacrifices to the Son of Heaven' suggests you can report your achievements to superiors. However, 'if one keeps difficulties in mind, there will be no blame' reminds you not to forget hardships, and 'not its lavishness' warns against excessive display. You must 'curb evil and promote good,' and be even more cautious in success.
❤️ Relationships
The relationship is in its best state. 'Its sincerity is shared, and its majesty is felt' indicates that treating each other with integrity naturally brings respect. But pay attention to 'if one does not form harmful associations,' do not associate with bad friends when prosperous. 'Accord with heavenly mandates and destiny,' cherish the present beauty, and do not become arrogant due to favor.
🎯 Decision Making
The current situation is excellent; 'supreme success' means everything is going smoothly. 'Aided by Heaven. Good fortune, nothing that is not beneficial' indicates favorable timing, location, and human relations. However, be wary of 'inferior people are unable to do so,' do not entrust important tasks to inferior people. The more abundant the harvest, the more you must 'curb evil and promote good' and maintain virtue.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The biggest danger is arrogance, extravagance, and debauchery. 'If one does not form harmful associations' warns against associating with improper people due to wealth. 'Not its lavishness' reminds you not to show off your wealth. 'Inferior people are unable to do so' means to be cautious in appointing people. It is easiest to drop your guard during a harvest, so be prepared for potential dangers even in times of peace.
Applicable Scenarios
The Great Possession hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the nation's power reached its peak, which was exactly the image of Da You. 'Fire in heaven,' all four directions paid tribute, and the treasuries were full. But Emperor Wu of Han understood 'curbing evil and promoting good,' discarding all other schools of thought to solely revere Confucianism, establishing a moral order. Although 'a large carriage for conveying things' signified abundant wealth, he also 'kept difficulties in mind, there will be no blame,' remembering the hardships of his ancestors' founding endeavors. This is the wisdom of the Da You hexagram: do not forget hardships during a harvest, and uphold morality when prosperous.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Great Possession hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: