55. Fêng - Abundance (Fullness) Above (in front): Chên - The Arousing (Thunder) Below (behind): Li - The Clinging (Fire)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
The Judgement for the Current Situation
Abundance has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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 does 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.
The Image for the Current Situation
Both thunder and lightning come: The image of Abundance. Thus the superior man decides lawsuits And carries out punishments.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), 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.
The Lines
Please remember: I Ching lines are counted upwards (starting at the bottom line)!
Top line:
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.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
Fifth line:
Lines are coming, Blessing and fame draw near. Good fortune.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
Fourth line:
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.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
Third line:
The underbrush is of such abundance That the small stars can be seen at noon. He breaks his right arm. No blame.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
Second line:
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.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
Bottom line:
When a man meets his destined ruler, They can be together ten days, And it is not a mistake. Going meets with recognition.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
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.
55. Fêng - Abundance (Fullness)