䷛ Excessive Greatness Dà Guò
Core Meaning
The Da Guo hexagram reveals wisdom for navigating extraordinary times. 'Ze mie mu' (Lake extinguishes wood) signifies extreme circumstances. 'Dong rao' (Ridgepole bends) and 'ben mo ruo ye' (root and tip are weak) indicate structural imbalance. However, 'li you you wang heng' (advantageous to have a destination, success) suggests that action is necessary during such times. 'Da guo zhi shi da yi zai' (The time of Da Guo is indeed great) implies seizing the opportunity is crucial. 'Du li bu ju, dun shi wu men' (Standing alone unafraid, retreating from the world without sorrow) requires unusual courage and breadth of mind. 'Ku yang sheng ti' (Withered willow sprouts shoots) in line nine-two signifies revival by finding a 'middle' position, while 'ku yang sheng hua' (withered willow flowers) in line nine-five, though blossoming, is questioned with 'he ke jiu ye' (how can it last long?). The caution of 'jie yong bai mao' (spreading white rushes) in initial six and the sacrifice of 'guo she mie ding' (crossing too far and being submerged) in top six are special situations in times of Da Guo.
The Judgment
Excessive Greatness: The ridgepole bends. It is advantageous to have a destination; success.
Interpretation:
The Da Guo hexagram symbolizes excessive situations, where the ridgepole of a house bends. However, it is beneficial to have a direction and move forward, leading to success.
The Image
The lake extinguishes the wood — the image of Excessive Greatness. Thus the superior man stands alone and has no fear, and retreats from the world and is not saddened.
Structure
The Da Guo hexagram has Xun (Wind/Wood) below and Dui (Lake/Joy) above. Xun represents wood, Dui represents a lake. The lake water submerging the wooden boat signifies 'Da Guo' (Excessive Greatness). The hexagram shape shows four strong yang lines in the middle, while the first and top lines are two weak yin lines, meaning 'the root and the tip are weak'. This is like a ridgepole that is too heavy in the middle and too weak at both ends, causing it to bend. 'Da zhe guo ye' (The great ones are excessive), indicating an excess of strong yang. However, 'gang guo er zhong, xun er shuo xing' (though excessive in strength, they are central; gentle below and joyful above), as the ninth second and ninth fifth lines are in central positions, and with gentleness below and joy above, it is still 'li you you wang' (advantageous to have a destination). This hexagram emphasizes extraordinary actions in extraordinary times. 'Standing alone and fearless, retreating from the world and not saddened' is the Way for the superior man.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial six: Spreading white rushes underneath. No blame.
Nine in the second place: A withered willow sprouts shoots. An old man takes a young wife. Nothing is disadvantageous.
Nine in the third place: The ridgepole bends. Misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place: The ridgepole is firm. Good fortune. There is occasion for regret.
Nine in the fifth place: A withered willow flowers. An old woman takes a young husband. No blame and no praise.
Top six: He crosses the water and is submerged up to the crown of his head. Misfortune. But no blame.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Your career faces an extraordinary situation requiring extraordinary measures. 'Dong rao' (the ridgepole bends), indicating structural imbalance, and 'ben mo ruo ye' (the root and tip are weak) warrant caution. However, 'li you you wang' (it is advantageous to have a destination) means that action is essential in a crisis. Nine-two's 'ku yang sheng ti, lao fu nu qi' (a withered willow sprouts shoots, an old man takes a young wife) suggests innovative combinations leading to 'wu bu li' (nothing disadvantageous). Nine-four's 'dong long ji' (the ridgepole is firm, good fortune) implies the ability to bear heavy responsibilities. But nine-three's 'dong rao xiong' (the ridgepole bends, misfortune) warns against excess, 'bu ke yi you fu ye' (it cannot be supported further), as being overstretched can be dangerous. Nine-five's 'ku yang sheng hua' (a withered willow flowers), though a positive sign, is questioned with 'he ke jiu ye' (how can it last long?), implying short-lived success. 'Du li bu ju, dun shi wu men' (stand alone unafraid, retreat from the world without sorrow) requires extraordinary courage and mindset. 'Da guo zhi shi da yi zai' (the time of great excess is indeed great) emphasizes timing.
❤️ Relationships
The relationship is facing unusual circumstances. 'Da zhe guo ye' (the great ones are excessive) indicates something has gone too far. 'Ben mo ruo ye' (the root and tip are weak) means there's an issue with the foundation or the outcome. Nine-two's 'lao fu nu qi' (old man with young wife), though seemingly mismatched, can be complementary 'guo yi xiang yu' (excessively coming together) and 'wu bu li' (nothing disadvantageous). Nine-five's 'lao fu shi fu' (old woman with young husband), though 'yi ke chou ye' (also may be ugly) or ungraceful, is 'wu jiu' (no blame). 'Dong rao' (the ridgepole bends) signifies the relationship is under stress and needs adjustment. Initial six's careful 'jie yong bai mao' (spreading white rushes), and top six's sacrifice of 'guo she mie ding' (crossing too far and being submerged). 'Du li bu ju, dun shi wu men' (stand alone unafraid, retreat from the world without sorrow) implies the courage to face unusual situations.
🎯 Decision Making
This is an extraordinary time, requiring extraordinary decisions. 'Da guo zhi shi da yi zai' (the time of great excess is indeed great) signifies a critical moment. Although 'dong rao' (the ridgepole bends) is dangerous, 'li you you wang heng' (it is advantageous to have a destination; success) means decisive action is needed. 'Gang guo er zhong, xun er shuo xing' (though excessively strong, it is central; gentle below and joyful above) indicates that even with excess, being in the 'middle' can lead to smooth progress. 'Du li bu ju, dun shi wu men' (stand alone unafraid, retreat from the world without sorrow) requires unconventional courage. Initial six's 'jie yong bai mao' (spreading white rushes) suggests that the more extraordinary the situation, the more cautious one should be. 'Ku yang sheng ti' (a withered willow sprouts shoots) may bring revival, but 'ku yang sheng hua' (a withered willow flowers) may not last. Do not emulate nine-three's 'dong rao xiong' (the ridgepole bends, misfortune); instead, be like nine-four's 'dong long ji' (the ridgepole is firm, good fortune) and bear the heavy burden.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest danger is the excess of nine-three's 'dong rao xiong' (the ridgepole bends, misfortune). 'Bu ke yi you fu ye' (it cannot be supported further); too much reinforcement will lead to collapse. 'Ben mo ruo ye' (the root and tip are weak) means the ends are too weak to support. Nine-five's 'ku yang sheng hua' (a withered willow flowers), 'he ke jiu ye' (how can it last long?) indicates that superficial prosperity is unsustainable, and 'lao fu shi fu yi ke chou ye' (an old woman taking a young husband may also be ungraceful). Top six's 'guo she mie ding xiong' (crossing too far and being submerged, misfortune) means excessive risk-taking leads to being overwhelmed; though 'wu jiu' (no blame), the cost is too great. 'Ze mie mu' (lake extinguishes wood) indicates that an excessive environment can overwhelm. One must 'du li bu ju' (stand alone unafraid) but not blindly, and 'dun shi wu men' (retreat from the world without sorrow) but not escape.
Applicable Scenarios
The Excessive Greatness hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
Shang Yang's reforms embody the spirit of Da Guo. The Qin state's 'dong rao' (ridgepole bent) due to deep-seated problems, and 'ben mo ruo ye' (root and tip were weak). Shang Yang implemented 'Da Guo' policies, with severe laws representing extraordinary measures. He 'du li bu ju' (stood alone unafraid), enduring opposition from nobles. 'Li you you wang heng' (it was advantageous to have a destination; success) indicates that while excessive, his actions were effective. 'Ku yang sheng ti, lao fu nu qi' (a withered willow sprouts shoots, an old man takes a young wife) symbolizes the innovative combination of old state and new laws. Ultimately, 'dong long ji' (the ridgepole was firm, good fortune), and Qin prospered. However, he himself 'guo she mie ding' (crossed too far and was submerged), dying by dismemberment, 'xiong wu jiu' (misfortune but no blame) – a sacrifice without regret. This is the wisdom of Da Guo: taking extraordinary actions in extraordinary times, even with sacrifice, for the benefit of society.
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 Excessive Greatness 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: