28 · 大過

Judgment

棟橈，利有攸往，亨。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

1. 初六：藉用白茅，无咎。
2. 九二：枯楊生稊，老夫得其女妻，无不利。
3. 九三：棟橈，凶。
4. 九四：棟隆，吉；有它吝。
5. 九五：枯楊生華，老婦得士夫，无咎无譽。
6. 上六：過涉滅頂，凶，无咎。

Tuan commentary

大過，大者過也。棟橈，本末弱也。剛過而中，巽而說行，利有攸往，乃亨。大過之時義大矣哉！

维基文库 · 周易 · 大过

Great Image commentary

澤滅木，大過。君子以獨立不懼，遯世无悶。

Small Images · bottom to top

1. 藉用白茅，柔在下也。
2. 老夫女妻，過以相與也。
3. 棟橈之凶，不可以有輔也。
4. 棟隆之吉，不橈乎下也。
5. 枯楊生華，何可久也。老婦士夫，亦可丑也。
6. 過涉之凶，不可咎也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Da Guo through four excessive yang lines in the middle, with two yin lines unable to bear their weight, like a beam weak at both ends. Fortunately the second and fifth hold the center despite excessive firmness, and Xun’s penetration with Dui’s joy still offers a practicable way.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

1. Yielding yin at the bottom of Xun acts cautiously in a time of great excess, even somewhat excessively, like placing clean white grass beneath an offering; hence no blame.
2. The second yang line at the beginning of excessive firmness is close to the first yin line, like a withered poplar renewing from its roots. Fitting support between firmness and yielding still produces growth.
3. The third yang line is firm in a firm position, bearing too much without outside help, like a bending beam. Excessive firmness cannot obtain support and is inauspicious.
4. Yang in a yin position in the fourth line moderates firmness, allowing the beam to rise auspiciously. Further attachment to the first yin line and excessive yielding would instead bring humiliation.
5. The fifth yang line at the extreme of excessive yang is close to the top yin line, like a withered poplar flowering only at its tips. Apparent renewed flourishing cannot last, so there is neither blame nor esteem.
6. Weak yielding ability in the top line stands at the extreme of excess, like crossing water until the head is submerged. The undertaking is inauspicious, but giving one’s utmost for what is right leaves the intention beyond blame.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Da Guo describes excessive yang strength in the middle with insufficient support at both ends, like a roof beam bending under its load. Exceptional times call for action, but strength needs adjustment and support; simply exerting more force cannot sustain it.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

1. Placing white cogon grass beneath a sacrificial offering represents extreme care. In exceptional times, a little excess caution can still be without blame.
2. Firmness and yielding appropriately support one another, like an old, withered poplar sprouting again at its base; life can still emerge amid decline.
3. Excessive firmness that also rejects outside help resembles a bending roof beam. Bearing the burden alone will eventually lose stability.
4. Firmness is moderated, allowing the roof beam to rise. Becoming excessively attached to a yielding supporter, however, would leave regret.
5. Yang strength has passed its limit, like a withered poplar flowering only at its tips. The apparent return of flourishing is unlikely to last.
6. Weak strength enters too deeply, like water rising over one's head. Although the undertaking ends badly, the intention to give one's utmost for what is right should not be blamed.

Read the source

• 中国哲学书电子化计划 · 周易
• 维基文库 · 朱熹《周易本义》（四库全书本）卷一