Hexagram 34: Dà Zhuàng (Great Power)
雷天大壮 · 第 34 卦 · Thunder over Heaven · 中文版
The Judgment
Da Zhuang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
大壮：利贞。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
In Da Zhuang we see that which is great becoming strong. We have the (trigram) denoting strength directing that which denotes movement, and hence (the whole) is expressive of vigour. 'Da Zhuang indicates that it will be advantageous to be firm and correct:' - that which is great (should be) correct. Given correctness and greatness (in their highest degree), and the character and tendencies of heaven and earth can be seen.
彖曰：大壮，大者壮也。刚以动，故壮。大壮利贞，大者正也。正大而天地之情可见矣！
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) heaven and above it that for thunder form Da Zhuang. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not take a step which is not according to propriety.
象曰：雷在天上，大壮；君子以非礼弗履。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,--most certainly.
'He manifests his vigour in his toes:' - this will certainly lead to exhaustion.
初九：壮于趾，征凶，有孚。 象曰：壮于趾，其孚穷也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second NINE, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune.
'The second NINE, (undivided), shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune:' - this is due to its being in the centre, (and its subject exemplifying the due mean).
九二：贞吉。 象曰：九二贞吉，以中也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third NINE, undivided, shows, in the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.
'The small man uses all his strength; in the case of the superior man it is his rule not to do so.'
九三：小人用壮，君子用罔，贞厉。羝羊触藩，羸其角。 象曰：小人用壮，君子罔也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided, shows (a case in which) firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon.
'The fence is opened and the horns are not entangled:' - (the subject of the line) still advances.
九四：贞吉悔亡，藩决不羸，壮于大舆之輹。 象曰：藩决不羸，尚往也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth SIX, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
'He loses his ram and hardly perceives it:' - he is not in his appropriate place.
六五：丧羊于易，无悔。 象曰：丧羊于易，位不当也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth SIX, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
'He is unable either to retreat or to advance:' - this is owing to his want of care. 'If he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune:' - his error will not be prolonged.
上六：羝羊触藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艰则吉。 象曰：不能退，不能遂，不详也。艰则吉，咎不长也。 · 单爻页
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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, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.