Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 55
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Fäng intimates progress and development. When a king has reached the point (which the name denotes) there is no occasion to be anxious (through fear of a change). Let him be as the sun at noon.
Fäng is abundance: brightness above and movement below, each supplying what the other lacks. The oracle tells the king who has reached the noon of his power not to be anxious, but to be as the sun at noon — and the sun does not stand still. Meet your mate, and advance calls forth approval. Behind screens thick enough to show the Bushel at midday, force no enlightenment; cherish sincere devotion: good fortune. The banner-screen and the broken arm pass without error. The great tent that meets its like brings good fortune. Gather men of brilliant ability; congratulation and praise follow. But the house grown vast, its door still for three years: evil. Share the abundance while it shines.
Line 1
The first line, undivided, shows its subject meeting with his mate. Though they are both of the same character, there will be no error. Advance will call forth approval.
Line 2
The second line, divided, shows its subject surrounded by screens so large and thick that at midday he can see from them the constellation of the Bushel. If he go (and try to enlighten his ruler who is thus emblemed), he will make himself to be viewed with suspicion and dislike. Let him cherish his feeling of sincere devotion that he may thereby move (his ruler's mind), and there will be good fortune.
Line 3
The third line, undivided, shows its subject with an (additional) screen of a large and thick banner, through which at midday he can see (the small) Mei star. (In the darkness) he breaks his right arm; but there will be no error.
Line 4
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject in a tent so large and thick that at midday he can see from it the constellation of the Bushel. But he meets with the subject of the (first) line, undivided like himself. There will be good fortune.
Line 5
The fifth line, divided, shows its subject bringing around him the men of brilliant ability. There will be occasion for congratulation and praise. There will be good fortune.
Line 6
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject with his house made large, but only serving as a screen to his household. When he looks at his door, it is still, and there is nobody about it. For three years no one is to be seen. There will be evil.