Hexagram 26

The Taming Power of the Great

山天大畜 · 大畜 · Dà Xù | Mountain over Heaven

Heaven within the mountain; great energy stored becomes great power.

AccumulationDisciplinePotentialStrength

Upper trigram

艮 · Mountain

Lower trigram

乾 · Heaven

The Judgment

“Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.”

The Lines

Nine at the beginningThere is danger; it helps to desist.

Nine in the second placeThe axle-straps are taken from the wagon.

Nine in the third placeGood horses give chase. It helps to persevere through hardship. Practice daily with chariot and defense; then it is favorable to have somewhere to go.

Six in the fourth placeA headboard on a young bull's horns. Supreme good fortune.

Six in the fifth placeThe tusks of a gelded boar. Good fortune.

Nine at the topOne attains the open way of heaven. Success.

Line texts are an original modern translation of the classical Zhou Yi (public domain).

Meaning

The vast force of heaven is held within the mountain—immense energy under firm control. Restrained strength accumulates into real power.

Guidance

Discipline and store your strength; cultivate yourself daily so that great capacity is ready when needed.

When This Hexagram Appears

Building up resources, knowledge, or capability under discipline before a major undertaking.

FAQ about Hexagram 26

What does Hexagram 26, The Taming Power of the Great, mean?

The Taming Power of the Great (山天大畜, hexagram 26 of the I Ching). The vast force of heaven is held within the mountain—immense energy under firm control. Restrained strength accumulates into real power.

What is the Judgment of the The Taming Power of the Great hexagram?

The Judgment reads: “Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.” Heaven within the mountain; great energy stored becomes great power.

What guidance does Hexagram 26 offer?

Discipline and store your strength; cultivate yourself daily so that great capacity is ready when needed.

When does the The Taming Power of the Great hexagram apply?

Building up resources, knowledge, or capability under discipline before a major undertaking.

Related Hexagrams

Opposite Hexagram

No. 45 · Gathering Together

Every line changed to its opposite — the mirror situation.

Reversed Hexagram

No. 25 · Innocence

The same figure turned upside down — the view from the other side.