Trigrams
☶☰ – Mountain above, Heaven below
Meaning
Represents the accumulation of great power through restraint and cultivation. The mountain holds back heaven's force — great creative energy is contained and harnessed. Through storing up virtue, knowledge, and strength, one becomes capable of great deeds.
Interpretation
- Accumulate wisdom, virtue, and resources before great undertakings.
- Restraining power and taming it allows for its proper and powerful release.
- Study the past and learn from those who came before.
Six Yao (Lines) with Classical Quotes
1st Yao (初爻)
有厉，利已。
English: Danger is present — it is beneficial to stop. In the face of a stronger restraining force, it is wise to cease advancing for now.
Luck Level: Caution
2nd Yao (二爻)
舆说輹。
English: The axle-strap is removed from the cart. Unable to move forward; the power to advance has been checked.
Luck Level: Neutral
3rd Yao (三爻)
良马逐，利鉴贞，曰闲舆卫，利有攸往。
English: A fine horse races after another. Beneficial to persist through difficulty. It is said: practice daily with the carriage and defense. Beneficial to have somewhere to go. Disciplined preparation enables successful advance.
Luck Level: Good
4th Yao (四爻)
童牛之呇，元吉。
English: A wooden bar on a young bull's horns — great good fortune. Restraining potential before it becomes dangerous; preventive wisdom is the highest form of taming.
Luck Level: Excellent
5th Yao (五爻)
豮豕之牙，吉。
English: The tusks of a gelded boar — good fortune. Removing the threat at its source with elegant precaution.
Luck Level: Good
6th Yao (上爻)
何天之衢，亨。
English: How broad is the heavenly highway — flowing and unobstructed! The restraint has done its work; now the path opens wide and progress flows freely.
Luck Level: Good