55. Fêng / Abundance 

Top: Thunder | Bottom: Fire

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THE SUMMARY

Chên is movement; Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without-this

produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization.

However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition

of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.

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THE WISDOM

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance.

Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time

of abundance is usually brief. Therefore a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that

must follow. But such sadness foes not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and

care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and

gladdening everything under heaven.

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THE JUDGMENT

Abundance has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.

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THE IMAGE

Both thunder and lightning come: Thus the superior man decides lawsuits and carries out

punishments.

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This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH, in which thunder and

lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid

down; here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.

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THE LINES

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Nine at the beginning means:

When a man meets his destined ruler, they can be together ten days, and it is not a mistake. Going meets with recognition.

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To bring about a time of abundance, a union of clarity with energetic movement is needed. Two

individuals possessed of these two attributes are suited to each other, and even if they spend an

entire cycle of time together during the period of abundance, it will not be too long, nor is it a

mistake. Therefore one may go forth, in order to make one's influence felt; it will meet with

recognition.

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Six in the second place means:

The curtain is of such fullness that the polestars can be seen at noon. Through going one meets

with mistrust and hate. If one rouses him through truth, good fortune comes.

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It often happens that plots and party intrigues, which have the darkening effect of an eclipse of

the sun, come between a ruler intent on great achievement and the man who could effect great

undertakings. Then, instead of the sun, we see the northern stars in the sky. The ruler is

overshadowed by a party that has usurped power. If a man at such a time were to try to take

energetic measures, he would encounter only mistrust and envy, which would prohibit all

movement. The essential thing then is to hold inwardly to the power of truth, which in the end is

so strong that it exerts an invisible influence on the ruler, so that all goes well.

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Nine in the third place means:

The underbrush is of such abundance that the small stars can be seen at noon. He breaks his right

arm. No blame.

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The image is that of a progressive covering over of the sun. Here the eclipse reaches totality,

therefore even the small stars can be seen at noon. In the sphere of social relationships, this

means that the prince is now so eclipsed that even the most insignificant persons can push

themselves into the foreground. This makes it impossible for an able man, though he might be

the right hand of the ruler, to undertake anything. It is as though his arm were broken, but he is

not to blame for being thus hindered in action.

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Nine in the fourth place means:

The curtain is of such fullness that the polestars can be seen at noon. He meets his ruler, who is of

like kind. Good fortune.

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Here the darkness is already decreasing, therefore interrelated elements come together. Here too

the complement must be found-the necessary wisdom to complement joy of action. Then

everything will go well. The complementary factor postulated here is the reverse of the one in

the first line. In the latter, wisdom is to be complemented by energy, while here energy is

complemented by wisdom.

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Six in the fifth place means:

Lines are coming, blessing and fame draw near. Good fortune.

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The ruler is modest and therefore open to the counsel of able men. Thus he is surrounded by men

who suggest to him the lines of action. This brings blessing, fame, and good fortune to him and

all the people.

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Six at the top means:

His house is in a state of abundance. He screens off his family. He peers through the gate and no

longer perceives anyone. For three years he sees nothing. Misfortune.

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This describes a man who because of his arrogance and obstinacy attains the opposite of what he

strives for. He seeks abundance and splendor for his dwelling. He wishes at all odds to be master

in his house, which so alienates his family that in the end he finds himself completely isolated.