Da Chu 山天大畜
A time to build up great strength
You are gathering skill and power. Think of it as the preparation period for something big.
What does I Ching hexagram 26 (Great Taming) mean?
A mountain storing up the strength of heaven. A time to build great skill and character in preparation for big things.
- Great Taming in love
- A good time to deepen a relationship.
- Great Taming at work and with money
- Build learning and ability to prepare for something big.
- Advice
- What you accumulate now becomes great strength later.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Great Taming
Very auspicious“It is fitting to persevere. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It is fitting to cross the great river.”
The Image: Heaven within the mountain: great taming. The noble person learns many old sayings and past deeds to nourish his virtue.
原文 · 利貞，不家食吉，利涉大川。 / 天在山中，大畜；君子以多識前言往行，以畜其德。
The six lines of hexagram 26
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初九
Caution“Danger ahead; it is fitting to stop.”
You can see the risk. Stay where you are and hold back.
原文 · 有厲利已。
Line 2 · 九二
Neutral“The cart’s axle straps are removed.”
You voluntarily stop advancing. Wise restraint.
原文 · 輿說輹。
Line 3 · 九三
Very auspicious“A good horse in pursuit; hardship and perseverance bring good fortune. Practice daily with the cart and its guard; it is fitting to undertake something.”
With training and practice, you are ready to go ahead.
原文 · 良馬逐，利艱貞，吉。日閑輿衛，利有攸往。
Line 4 · 六四
Very auspicious“The headboard on a young bull: supreme good fortune.”
Restraining a danger before it grows is a great success.
原文 · 童牛之告，元吉。
Line 5 · 六五
Auspicious“The tusk of a gelded boar: good fortune.”
Tame the wild urge at its roots rather than fighting it. That works.
原文 · 豶豕之牙，吉。
Line 6 · 上九
No blame“Taking the road of heaven: success.”
The restraint ends and you open into the wide road. Go.
原文 · 何天之衢，亨。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 45. Cui (Gathering Together)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 25. Wu Wang (Innocence)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.