Abundance

Thunder above

Fire below

Translated from Richard Wilhelm's German (1924)

Introduction

Zhen is movement; Li is flame, whose quality is clarity. Clarity within and movement without give rise to greatness and abundance. The hexagram depicts a time of high civilization. Yet the very fact that this is a peak already carries a hint that this extraordinary state of abundance cannot be kept up forever.

The Judgment

Abundance has success. The king attains it. Do not be sad; you must be like the sun at midday.

Bringing about a time of the utmost greatness and abundance is not granted to every mortal. It takes a born ruler of people to do such a thing, because his will is set on what is great. A time of such abundance is usually short. A sage might therefore well grow sad at the prospect of the decline that follows. But such sadness does not befit a sage. Only someone who is inwardly free of worry and sorrow can usher in a time of abundance. Such a person must be like the sun at midday, which lights up and gladdens everything under heaven.

The Image

Thunder and lightning come together: the image of abundance. So the noble one decides lawsuits and carries out punishments.

The hexagram bears a certain relation to hexagram 21, Biting Through, where thunder and lightning also appear together, but in the reverse order. Whereas there the laws are laid down, here they are carried out and applied. Clarity within makes a close examination of the facts possible, and shock without ensures that punishments are carried out strictly and precisely.

The Lines

First line, nine

When one meets one's destined lord, one may spend ten days with him, and it is no mistake. Going wins recognition.

Bringing about a time of abundance requires a union of clarity and energetic movement. Where these two qualities are found in two people, those people suit each other, and even if they spend a full cycle together in the time of abundance, it is not too long, and it is no mistake. So one may go and set to work; it will win recognition.

Second line, six

The curtain is of such abundance that at midday one sees the polestars. By going one meets with mistrust and hatred. If one awakens him through truth, good fortune comes.

It often happens that intrigues and factional schemes push their way in between the ruler who wants what is great and the person who could carry it out, bringing a darkness like an eclipse of the sun. Then, instead of the sun, one sees the polestars in the sky. The lord is pushed into the shadows by a faction that has seized power. If one were to undertake something energetic at such a time, one would meet only with mistrust and envy, which would make all movement impossible. What matters then is to stand inwardly in the power of truth. In the end that power is strong enough to work on the ruler unseen, so that all goes well.

Third line, nine

The undergrowth is of such abundance that at midday one sees the small stars. They break their right arm. No fault.

The image here depicts the progressive covering of the sun. At this point totality is reached, and so at midday one sees even the small stars.

In social terms, the prince here is so eclipsed that even the most insignificant people can push themselves forward. Then it is impossible for an able person who could be the ruler's right hand to undertake anything. It is as if the hand were broken. But it is not their fault that they are prevented in this way from acting.

Fourth line, nine

The curtain is of such abundance that at midday one sees the polestars. They meet the lord who is their equal. Good fortune.

Here the darkness is already waning, and so things that correspond to each other come together. Here, too, one must find the complement: the wisdom needed to go with the eagerness to act. Then all will go well. The complement considered here is the inverse of that in the first line. There, wisdom was to be complemented by energy; here, energy by wisdom.

Fifth line, six

Lines come; blessing and fame draw near. Good fortune.

The ruler is modest, which makes him receptive to the advice of the able. In this way people come into his circle who bring him the guiding lines for action. As a result, blessing, fame and good fortune come to him and to all the people.

Top line, six

There is abundance in their house. They hide their family from view. Peering through the gate, they no longer notice anyone. They see nothing for three years. Misfortune.

Here someone is portrayed who, through arrogance and self-will, achieves the opposite of what they strive for. They seek abundance and splendor for their dwelling. They insist on being master in their own house. But in this way they alienate their family, so that in the end they stand utterly alone.

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