Hexagram 55, Fēng (Abundance): Line 1

丰卦初九 · 雷火丰 · 中文版

初九:遇其配主,虽旬无咎,往有尚。

The line (Legge)

The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject meeting with his mate. Though they are both of the same character, there will be no error. Advance will call forth approval.

Small Image commentary

'Though they are both of the same character, there will be no error:' - if the subject of this line seek to overpass that similarity, there will be calamity.

象曰:虽旬无咎,过旬灾也。

In plain words

Meeting one's matching lord: even for ten days there is no fault; going on brings honour. The first line and the fourth are both strong, matched in character. The Small Image says within ten days there is no fault, but beyond ten days there is disaster: abundance must not go too far.

Applying it to your situation

If you have found a kindred partner, this line suggests valuing it while keeping the partnership in proportion. How could your cooperation last without going too far?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the first place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is in its proper place. Its partner is line 4; both are yang, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Fēng changes into Hexagram 62 Xiǎo Guò (Small Exceeding). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·丰之小过.

The hexagram

Hexagram 55 Fēng (Abundance). The Judgment: Feng intimates progress and development. When a king has reached the point (which the name denotes) there is no occasion to be anxious (through fear of a change). Let him be as the sun at noon.

Next: Line 2

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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