28. Ta Kuo

	Excess
	Upper Trigram:	Tui, Joy, a Lake
	Lower Trigram:	Sun, Mildness, Wind, Wood, Penetration
	Governing Rulers:	Nine in the second place Nine in the fourth place

The Image
Wood under water: the image of Ta Kuo. The superior man, in accordance with this, stands up alone and has no fear; and keeps retired from the world without regret.

Miscellaneous Signs
Ta Kuo is overthrown with sad mischance.

The Judgement
Ta Kuo suggests to us a ridge-beam that is weak. There wil be advantage, under its conditions, in moving in any direction whatever. There will be success.

See also: Ta Chuan - Section 2, Chapter II-12.

Commentary
Ta Kuo shows the great ones in excess. In 'the ridge-beam that is weak', we see weakness in both ends. The strong lines are in excess, but two of them are in the central positions. Movement arises from the inner trigram, representing flexibility, interacting with the outer, representing joy and satisfaction. Hence it is said: 'There will be advantage in moving in any direction whatever; yes, there will be success'. Great indeed is this very extraordinary time.

The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
Showing one placing mats of the white mao grass under things set on the ground. There will be no error.

See also: Ta Chuan - Section 1, Chapter VIII-7.

'He places mats of the white mao grass under things set on the ground': he feels his weakness and his being in the lowest place, and uses extraordinary care.

Nine in the second place
A decayed willow producing shoots; or an old husband in possession of his young wife. There will be advantage in every way.

'An old husband and a young wife': such association is extraordinary.

Nine in the third place
A beam that is weak. There will be evil.

The 'evil connected with the ridge-beam that is weak', arises from this, that no help can be given to the condition thus represented.

Nine in the fourth place
A ridge-beam curving upwards. There will be good fortune. If its subject should look for help elsewhere, with hidden motives, there will be cause for regret.

The 'good fortune connected with the ridge-beam curving upwards', arises from this, that it does not bend to what is below.

Nine in the fifth place
A decayed willow producing flowers; or an old wife in possession of her young husband. There will be occasion neither for blame nor for praise.

'A decayed wilow produces flowers': but how can this secure its long continuance?
'An old wife and a young husband': this also is a thing to be ashamed of.

Top-most six
Showing its subject with exraordinary boldness wading through a stream, till the water hides the crown of his head. There will be evil, but no ground for blame.

'Evil follows wading with boldness through a stream': but the act affords no ground for blame.