Hexagram 1, Qián (The Creative): Line 5

乾卦九五 · 乾为天 · 中文版

九五:飞龙在天,利见大人。

The line (Legge)

In the fifth NINE, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon on the wing in the sky. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man.

Small Image commentary

'The dragon is on the wing in the sky:' - the great man rouses himself to his work.

象曰:飞龙在天,大人造也。

In plain words

The dragon flies in the sky; it is favourable to see the great man. The fifth line is yang, at the centre of the upper trigram and in a yang place, both balanced and correct. Tradition calls it the ruler's place, the strongest line of the hexagram. The Small Image says this is when the great man accomplishes things.

Applying it to your situation

If things are going well and you are near a high point, this line suggests using your strength to get things done and to help others grow. Even at the top the line still says "favourable to see the great man": the higher you are, the more you need people willing to tell you the truth. Who around you would do that now?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the fifth place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is in its proper place. It holds the centre of the upper trigram. Its partner is line 2; both are yang, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Qián changes into Hexagram 14 Dà Yǒu (Great Possession). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·乾之大有.

The hexagram

Hexagram 1 Qián (The Creative). The Judgment: Qian (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.

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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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