Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 28
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Ta Kwo suggests to us a beam that is weak. There will be advantage in moving (under its conditions) in any direction whatever; there will be success.
Ta Kwo — a beam too great for its supports — is the hexagram of the extraordinary moment, when ordinary strength bends under ordinary use. I say to you: move in any direction whatever; there is success. Still, hear the whole counsel. Mats laid under the humblest thing — no error. The beam curving upward — good fortune, if you lean on the strong one below and not on your own sufficiency. The old husband and the old wife — neither blame nor praise. Stand alone without fear and speak without regret; only the reckless boldness that wades until the water hides the crown of the head is evil — though even that is no ground for blame.
Line 1
The first line, divided, shows one placing mats of the white mâo grass under things set on the ground. There will be no error.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing shoots, or an old husband in possession of his young wife. There will be advantage in every way.
Line 3
The third line, undivided, shows a beam that is weak. There will be evil.
Line 4
The fourth line, undivided, shows a beam curving upwards. There will be good fortune. If (the subject of it) looks for other (help but that of line one), there will be cause for regret.
Line 5
The fifth line, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing flowers, or an old wife in possession of her young husband. There will be occasion neither for blame nor for praise.
Line 6
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject with extraordinary (boldness) wading through a stream, till the water hides the crown of his head. There will be evil, but no ground for blame.