Hexagram 34 of the I Ching: Da Zhuang, Power of the Great (大壯), meaning and lines
Da Zhuang, Power of the Great: Thunder over Heaven. An image of great strength in full growth, which is only worthwhile if it stays upright.
Key points
| Number | 34 of 64 (King Wen sequence) |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | Da Zhuang (大壯) |
| Approximate pronunciation | “da jwahng” |
| Lower trigram | ☰ Qian, Heaven |
| Upper trigram | ☳ Zhen, Thunder |
| Lines (bottom to top) | yang, yang, yang, yang, yin, yin |
| Opposite hexagram | No. 20, Guan, Contemplation |
| Other names | The Great Force, The Great Vigour |
Hexagram 34 at a glance
Da Zhuang (大壯) is the 34th hexagram of the I Ching. “Da” means “great” and “zhuang” “robust, strong”. It is translated as “Power of the Great”, “The Great Force” or “The Great Vigour”.
Four solid lines rise from below, two broken lines crown the figure: the yang is in full growth. It is the exact inverse of No. 33, Retreat.
The two trigrams
A hexagram is read from bottom to top. The lower trigram, also called the inner trigram, is Qian (Heaven); the upper trigram, also called the outer trigram, is Zhen (Thunder). The bottom represents the base of the situation, the top its context or outcome. Thunder is over Heaven: a shaking within the vast expanse. The image commentary draws a rule from this: do not trample what is contrary to propriety, that is, exercise one's strength with measure.
Diagram of the six lines, from first to sixth: yang, yang, yang, yang, yin, yin. In the King Wen sequence, this hexagram forms a pair with No. 33, Dun, Retreat; its opposite (all lines reversed) is No. 20, Guan, Contemplation, and its reverse (read from top to bottom) is No. 33, Dun, Retreat. Its nuclear hexagram, formed by the central lines, is No. 43, Guai, Breakthrough.
The judgement, in brief
The judgement is brief: it is advantageous to persevere. The text does not celebrate strength for its own sake: it only asks that it remain upright.
The commentaries specify that greatness is that of uprightness: a just and measured strength is invincible, while a disorderly strength gets lost.
General meaning
Da Zhuang speaks of energy that overflows: youth, growth, emerging authority. The danger is spending it without rules. The text compares wise strength to that of a great cart whose axle is solid, and excessive strength to a ram whose horns get caught in a hedge.
It poses a question of maturity: what do we do with a strength we possess? We can impose it, or put it at the service of what is just. The book recommends the second path.
The six lines, one by one
Lines counted from bottom to top. These very short paraphrases do not replace reading a full translation.
| Line | Image and idea |
|---|---|
| 1 (yang) | Strength in the toes: rushing forward too early leads to failure. |
| 2 (yang) | Perseverance brings good fortune: the strength stays upright. |
| 3 (yang) | The petty person uses strength, the noble person restraint; the ram gets its horns caught in the hedge. |
| 4 (yang) | Regrets fade: the hedge opens, the strength of the great cart lies in its axle. |
| 5 (yin) | Losing the ram on easy ground: hardness dissolves without regret. |
| 6 (yin) | The ram stuck in the hedge, unable to back up or advance; by accepting the difficulty, everything works out. |
Moving lines and the resulting hexagram
A moving line (a total of 6 or 9 when the three coins are tossed) changes into its opposite and gives a second hexagram, the resulting hexagram, which describes the direction the situation is taking. Here, lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 are yang and lines 5 and 6 are yin. The four yang lines (1 to 4) form the base of strength; the two yin lines at the top (5 and 6) are the doorways of gentleness. A yin line that becomes yang tips toward an excess of strength, hence the caution of the text.
| If the moving line is | Resulting hexagram |
|---|---|
| 1 (yang becomes yin) | No. 32, Heng, Duration |
| 2 (yang becomes yin) | No. 55, Feng, Abundance |
| 3 (yang becomes yin) | No. 54, Gui Mei, The Marrying Maiden |
| 4 (yang becomes yin) | No. 11, Tai, Peace |
| 5 (yin becomes yang) | No. 43, Guai, Breakthrough |
| 6 (yin becomes yang) | No. 14, Da You, Possession in Great Measure |
Six moving lines give the opposite, No. 20, Guan, Contemplation. With several moving lines, the schools disagree about which line to prioritise.
A modern reading, with caution
Da Zhuang describes periods when we feel strong and capable. It also recalls the reverse side: momentum without measure. It invites us to ask what this strength is for.
- At work: take on more responsibility without crushing others.
- In relationships: exert your influence while respecting everyone's limits.
- For yourself: channel your energy into a project, a sport, a discipline.
A reminder: the I Ching is a book of wisdom and of oracle, a tool for reflection and not a prediction; it does not replace medical, financial, legal or safety advice.
Questions for reflection
- Where is my strength being misused?
- What signs tell me to wait or to slow down?
- For whom or for what am I spending my energy?
- What, in my “hedge”, keeps me from forcing things?
Mistakes to avoid
- Confusing strength with brutality: the text opposes them.
- Spending one's energy in a rush, like the ram.
- Applying this figure to a situation of violence: the I Ching never justifies hurting someone.
Frequently asked questions
What does hexagram 34 of the I Ching mean?
Da Zhuang, Power of the Great, describes a great strength in growth, which must remain upright and measured.
Which trigrams make up Da Zhuang?
Heaven (Qian) below and Thunder (Zhen) above.
Why a ram in the lines?
The animal illustrates blind strength that runs into an obstacle and gets trapped by it.
Which hexagram is associated with Da Zhuang?
No. 33, Dun, Retreat: strength that advances, wisdom that withdraws.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to The 64 hexagrams of the Yi King.