dà zhuàngAlso known as “The Power of the Great” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Tâ Kwang” (Legge)
great powervigourrestraint
In plain words
Thunder above heaven: great strength on the move. Favourable to persevere correctly — real power stays within the bounds of propriety; the ram that butts the hedge gets stuck.
The attitude it asks for
You have the strength; use it with restraint and legitimacy, or it turns against you.
Structure
Upper trigram☳震Zhen (the Arousing)雷 · thunder · Wood
Lower trigram☰乾Qian (the Creative)天 · heaven · Metal
Tâ Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
Commentary on the Judgment
大壯，大者壯也。剛以動，故壯。大壯利貞；大者正也。正大而天地之情可見矣！
In Tâ Kwang 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.
'Tâ Kwang 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.
The Image
雷在天上，大壯；君子以非禮弗履。
(The trigram representing) heaven and above it that for thunder form Tâ Kwang. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not take a step which is not according to propriety.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。
The sixth line, 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.
Its symbolism
不能退，不能遂，不詳也。艱則吉，咎不長也。
'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.
The fourth line, 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.
Its symbolism
藩決不羸，尚往也。
'The fence is opened and the horns are not entangled:'—(the subject of the line) still advances.
The third line, 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.
Its symbolism
小人用壯，君子罔也。
'The small man uses all his strength; in the case of the superior man it is his rule not to do so.'
The second line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
九二貞吉，以中也。
'The second line, 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).
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 34, Great Vigor, mean?
Thunder above heaven: great strength on the move. Favourable to persevere correctly — real power stays within the bounds of propriety; the ram that butts the hedge gets stuck.
Which trigrams form Great Vigor?
震 above 乾 — thunder over heaven. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 夬 Decisiveness.
What happens when a line of Great Vigor changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Great Vigor in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — — — — - - - - is Great Vigor. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.