Trigrams
☳☰ – Thunder above, Heaven below
Meaning
Represents great strength and vigor. Thunder above heaven — power that is rising and expanding. But great power must be guided by righteousness; strength without virtue becomes aggression. The image of the great ram butting against the fence warns against blind force.
Interpretation
- Great power must always be guided by righteousness and restraint.
- Do not use strength to bully or force; real power works through virtue.
- Knowing when to stop is the mark of the truly powerful.
Six Yao (Lines) with Classical Quotes
1st Yao (初爻)
壮于趾，征凶，有孚。
English: Power in the toes — going forward brings misfortune, though there is sincerity. Raw power without wisdom, rushing forward too early, leads to trouble despite good intentions.
Luck Level: Misfortune
2nd Yao (二爻)
贞吉。
English: Perseverance brings good fortune. Maintaining correct principles while power grows keeps the strength on a beneficial path.
Luck Level: Good
3rd Yao (三爻)
小人用壮，君子用罔，贞厉；翦羊触藩，瀇其角。
English: The petty person relies on power; the noble person does not. Persistence is dangerous. The ram butts against the fence and its horns get caught. Using raw strength alone leads to entrapment.
Luck Level: Caution
4th Yao (四爻)
贞吉，悔亡；藩决不瀇，壮于大舆之輹。
English: Perseverance brings good fortune, regret disappears. The fence breaks open without hindrance; power in the axle of the great carriage. Freedom of movement is achieved through proper strength.
Luck Level: Good
5th Yao (五爻)
丧羊于易，无悔。
English: Losing the sheep in a casual exchange — no regret. Something slips away without drama; the loss is minor and without lasting consequence.
Luck Level: Neutral
6th Yao (上爻)
翦羊触藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利；鉰则吉。
English: The ram butts the fence and cannot retreat, cannot advance — nothing is gained. If one endures hardship with awareness, there will be good fortune. Trapped by one's own stubborn force; endurance and awareness are the way through.
Luck Level: Good