Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 26
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Under the conditions of Ta Khü it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. (If its subject do not seek to) enjoy his revenues in his own family (without taking service at court), there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous for him to cross the great stream.
Ta Khü — a mountain standing still above heaven — is the great accumulation: strength gathered and held back until its hour. I tell you plainly that it is advantageous to be firm and correct, to keep your revenues in your own house and serve where the time calls; then good fortune comes, and it is advantageous to cross the great stream. But the restraint is real. The axle-strap is removed and the carriage stopped; the young bull’s horns are capped for everyone’s sake; daily practice in charioteering and defence is the price of the open road. Ripen in private, and when the accumulation is full, advance — the firmament of heaven stands open.
Line 1
The first line, undivided, shows its subject in a position of peril. It will be advantageous for him to stop his advance.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows a carriage with the strap under it removed.
Line 3
The third line, undivided, shows its subject urging his way with good horses. It will be advantageous for him to realise the difficulty (of his course), and to be firm and correct, exercising himself daily in his charioteering and methods of defence; then there will be advantage in whatever direction he may advance.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, shows the young bull, (and yet) having the piece of wood over his horns. There will be great good fortune.
Line 5
The fifth line, divided, shows the teeth of a castrated hog. There will be good fortune.
Line 6
The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject (as) in command of the firmament of heaven. There will be progress.