Hexagram 14 of 64
大有 Dà Yǒu · Great Possession
上 離 Fire (Lí) over 下 乾 Heaven (Qián)
In plenty, give a portion away.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: fire in the heavens.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Dà Yǒu is fire high in the heavens, illuminating far and wide, holding vast possessions. Dà Yǒu speaks of stewardship in abundance—the broader the light falls, the more essential it is to distribute portions outward. What is clutched entirely in one's fists grows heavy; that which is shared outward becomes the very way it continues to endure.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“No mingling with harm; not a blame. Remaining mindful of hardship brings no blame.” At the beginning of Dàyǒu, there has been no involvement with harm, so there is no fault to begin with. Even so, maintaining “no blame,” or freedom from fault, requires cautious self-restraint and an attitude prepared to face hardship. Not yet having suffered harm does not mean that it is safe to become complacent.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“The Initial Nine of Dà Yǒu: there is no harm from interaction.” The Initial Nine is at the lowest position of Dà Yǒu, having not yet interacted with external things, so there is no harm arising from interaction.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Loaded into a great carriage; having somewhere to go, no blame.” Like a large cart capable of carrying heavy loads, one has the ability to bear major responsibilities. Going forward and undertaking affairs can bring “no blame,” meaning no fault. Dàyǒu concerns not only having much, but also being able to carry what one possesses steadily and securely.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“A large cart for carrying: accumulation inside without breakdown.” The Nine in the Second is like a large wagon bearing freight; what is carried is piled up inside the wagon, so even if heavily laden it will not break down.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“A duke offers tribute to the Son of Heaven; petty persons cannot do so.” A duke or marquis offers what he has acquired to the Son of Heaven. Hēng here is read as xiǎng, meaning to present offerings at court. A petty person cannot make such an offering. In a time of Dàyǒu, this line affirms using what has been gained for court offerings, rather than keeping it exclusively for oneself.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“A duke makes offerings to the Son of Heaven: a petty person suffers harm.” Dukes present what they possess as tribute to the Son of Heaven (“hēng” stands for “xiǎng”, to offer); if a petty person is in this position, he cannot bear such responsibility and it turns into harm instead (another view holds that petty persons cause the injury).
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Not displaying overflowing abundance; no blame.” Not taking pride in one’s own wealth and abundance allows “no blame,” meaning freedom from fault. Péng here describes greatness or abundance. In a time of Dàyǒu, even with substantial wealth or high standing already attained, one can still hold that abundance in check and remain modest and self-effacing.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Not flaunting its abundance, no blame: because he discerns clearly.” The Nine in the Fourth does not flaunt his abundance (“péng” is explained by Chéng Yí as an appearance of fullness; Wáng Bì reads it as “páng”, meaning not attaching to the adjacent Nine in the Third); that he incurs no blame is because he is wise and discerns clearly.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“One's sincerity is engaging, yet commanding dignity; good fortune.” Relationships are formed with sincerity and trustworthiness, creating mutual trust while preserving appropriate dignity. Fú means sincerity and trustworthiness; wēi means an authority that commands respect. “Good fortune” means an auspicious outcome. In an honored position, one possesses both the trust of others and the dignity appropriate to that position.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“His sincerity is mutually bonding: using trust to inspire their aspirations. The good fortune of dignity: approachable and unguarded.” The Six in the Fifth interacts with others in sincerity, inspiring the people’s aspirations through genuine trust; that dignity brings good fortune is because he remains approachable and keeps no defenses up.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“Blessed from heaven; good fortune, nothing that is not favorable.” Heaven’s assistance brings “good fortune,” an auspicious outcome; “nothing unfavorable” means there is no unfavorable aspect. The Xìcí (Appended Statements) says Heaven aids those who follow right principles, while people aid those who keep faith. Drawing on this, Zhū Xī’s Běnyì (Original Meaning) explains that Nine at the top of the hexagram nevertheless willingly follows Six in the fifth place below. Keeping faith, following right principles, and honoring the worthy bring this assistance.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“At the top of Dà Yǒu, good fortune: help comes from Heaven.” The Top Nine of Dà Yǒu occupies the highest position and attains good fortune because it receives help from Heaven.
Zhouyi, hexagram 14, line 12. Koyonari translation.