Hexagram 14 of 64
Great Possession
da you · 大有
TL;DR
- ◈Hexagram 14, Great Possession, is summarized by the Judgment: Great Possession. Supreme success.
- ◈Its structure is Fire above Heaven; read the trigram interaction before treating it as a simple label.
- ◈Core keywords: abundance, wealth, generosity, success.
By the Numbers
- #14
- King Wen Order
- Great Possession in the 64-hexagram sequence.
- 2
- Trigrams
- Fire above Heaven.
- 6
- Lines
- Each hexagram is read from bottom to top.
Classical Context
Hexagram 14, Dà Yǒu (大有), is the hexagram of Great Possession — the state of abundance that follows fellowship. It is composed of Lí (☲ Fire) above and Qián (☰ Heaven) below. The image: fire blazing high in the sky, above the heavens. The sun at its zenith, illuminating all things, making everything visible and accessible. This is the hexagram of maximum prosperity — but also of maximum responsibility.
This expanded note is adapted from the long-form hexagram draft as cultural and textual context; a live reading still depends on the question, changing lines, and the full transformation pattern.
Six-Line Theme Map
I Ching lines are read from the bottom upward. This map runs from the initial line to the top line so the Judgment, Image, and moving-line position can be read together.
- L1
初九 · 无交害
No contact with harm — caution
- L2
九二 · 大车以载
Great cart carrying — capability
- L3
九三 · 公用亨于天子
Offering to the sovereign
- L4
九四 · 匪其彭
Not flaunting — no blame
- L5
六五 · 厥孚交如
Trust-based exchange — dignity
- L6
上九 · 自天祐之
Heaven's blessing — supreme
Deep Reading
Abundance as stewardship
Da You speaks of great possession, but its structure makes possession accountable. Fire shines above Heaven; it illuminates rather than hides. The one who has much is asked to distribute clarity, bear responsibility, and serve a larger order.
- •The Judgment is brief and highly favorable, but the lines teach responsibility.
- •Great cart carrying means capacity must match the load.
- •Offering to the sovereign points to returning abundance to a higher purpose.
- •Heaven's blessing comes after disciplined stewardship, not mere accumulation.
The humble ruler inside great yang
In a hexagram full of yang energy, the ruler's fifth line is yin. This is the political and personal lesson of Da You: abundance is safest when held with receptivity, trust, and dignity. Power that flaunts itself invites harm; power that illuminates gains response.
- •The first line avoids contact with harm before abundance becomes exposed.
- •The fourth line says not to swell or flaunt.
- •The fifth line governs through trust-based exchange and dignity.
- •The top line turns possession into blessing by aligning with Heaven.
Reading Da You in a live question
- Resources or wealth
- The field may support abundance, but the question is how to carry it. Build capacity, avoid display, and use resources for a clear purpose.
- Leadership
- Hold influence gently. Trust and dignity will do more than pressure when many strong forces are responding to one center.
- Public visibility
- Visibility is useful when it illuminates the whole field. It becomes risky when it is only display, status, or self-protection.
Source Notes
- Primary text
- This reading follows the Zhouyi Da You Judgment, Image, Tuan commentary, and line statements, especially great possession, fire above Heaven, the great cart, and trust-based exchange.
- Zhouyi: Da You Judgment, Image, Tuan Zhuan, and line statements
- Method boundary
- Da You should not be reduced to a promise of wealth. A live reading must ask what is being entrusted, who benefits, and which changing lines modify the abundance.
- CosmicTao editorial method note
Interpretation
Strong yes. Abundance and supreme success.
Upper Trigram
Fire
Lower Trigram
Heaven
The Judgment (King Wen)
Great Possession. Supreme success.
The Image
Fire in heaven above: the image of Possession in Great Measure.
Keywords
FAQ
What is Hexagram 14 (Great Possession)?
Great Possession. Supreme success.
What is the geometric structure of Hexagram 14?
Hexagram 14 acts with the upper trigram Fire and the lower trigram Heaven.
What are the core themes of Great Possession?
The core themes and meanings include: abundance, wealth, generosity, success.