I Ching hexagram · 28 of 64
Hexagram 28: Great Exceeding 大过 Dà Guò · Great pressure, extraordinary measures
The load is too heavy. Unusual times call for unusual measures. The ridgepole sags to breaking point. It helps to have somewhere to go. Success.
- Upper: ☱ Lake
- Lower: ☴ Wind
- Nuclear: 1
- Opposite: 27
Number
28 of 64
Chinese name
大过 Dà Guò
Upper trigram
☱ Lake
Lower trigram
☴ Wind
Nuclear hexagram
䷀ 1. The Creative
Opposite hexagram
䷚ 27. Nourishment
What hexagram 28 means
Hexagram 28 has four strong lines in the middle and weak lines at both ends, like a ridgepole too heavy for its supports that begins to sag. It describes extraordinary pressure and a critical moment.
This is an exceptional time that calls for exceptional action. Don't panic: find a way out gently but decisively, and be ready to stand alone for what is right.
The Judgement · 卦辞
大过：栋桡，利有攸往，亨。
The ridgepole sags to breaking point. It helps to have somewhere to go. Success.
The Image · 象曰
泽灭木，大过；君子以独立不惧，遯世无闷。
The lake rises above the trees: the image of the preponderance of the great. The noble person stands alone without fear and, if they must withdraw from the world, is not dejected.
The lines and trigrams
Great Exceeding places ☱ Lake (兑 Duì), the trigram of joy and openness, above ☴ Wind (巽 Xùn), the trigram of gentle, penetrating influence. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 28 in your life
Love and relationships
The relationship may be carrying more than it can bear. Address the pressure directly and change what isn't working before something breaks.
Personal growth
Courage under pressure. Stand by your values, even when you stand alone.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 28 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
Laying a mat of white rushes underneath. Great care at the start brings no blame.
Line 2 九二 · Nine in the second place
A dry poplar sprouts at the root, and an older man takes a young wife. Unexpected renewal: everything furthers.
Line 3 九三 · Nine in the third place
The ridgepole sags to breaking point. Pushing ahead stubbornly brings misfortune.
Line 4 九四 · Nine in the fourth place
The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune, but relying on ulterior motives brings humiliation.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
A dry poplar flowers, and an older woman takes a young husband. No blame, no praise: a renewal that bears no fruit.
Line 6 上六 · Six at the top
Wading too deep, the water closes over your head. Misfortune, but no blame, because you acted for a worthy cause.
Hexagram 28 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 28 mean?
Hexagram 28, Great Exceeding (大过 Dà Guò), is about great pressure, extraordinary measures. The load is too heavy. Unusual times call for unusual measures. Hexagram 28 has four strong lines in the middle and weak lines at both ends, like a ridgepole too heavy for its supports that begins to sag. It describes extraordinary pressure and a critical moment.
What does hexagram 28 mean in love?
The relationship may be carrying more than it can bear. Address the pressure directly and change what isn't working before something breaks.
What does hexagram 28 mean for work and money?
Overload, deadlines or a crisis. Act decisively, shift the burden and make bold changes, but keep a clear head.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 28?
Hexagram 28 has Lake (Duì) as its upper trigram and Wind (Xùn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 28?
Its nuclear hexagram is 1, The Creative. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 27, Nourishment. It reads the same upside down, so it is its own inverse.
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