Hexagram 26
The Taming Power of the Great
大畜 (Dà Chù)
Mountain over Heaven
Hexagram 26 represents the power of restraint and accumulation of great strength. This hexagram symbolizes the ability to hold back tremendous creative force until the proper moment for release, like a mountain standing firm above heaven. It embodies the wisdom of building inner resources, cultivating virtue, and storing energy through disciplined self-control. The image teaches that true power comes not from immediate expression but from patient accumulation and proper timing, allowing one to achieve lasting greatness through sustained effort and moral cultivation.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water."
Hexagram 26 reveals the profound principle of accumulating strength through disciplined restraint and moral cultivation. This hexagram teaches that the greatest power emerges not from impulsive action but from the patient gathering of inner resources, knowledge, and virtue. Like a mountain that holds back the creative force of heaven, you are called to develop tremendous capacity through self-control and purposeful accumulation. The reference to not eating at home suggests that this accumulated strength should be used in service to the world, not hoarded selfishly. Your cultivation prepares you for significant contributions beyond your immediate sphere, enabling you to undertake great endeavors with confidence and capability.
The ability to cross great waters indicates that your accumulated strength equips you to face major challenges and transformative journeys. This hexagram emphasizes that true greatness comes from building solid foundations of character, knowledge, and skill over time. The taming power works both inwardly, controlling impulses and refining character, and outwardly, channeling energy toward meaningful purposes. By restraining lesser desires and focusing on higher goals, you develop the capacity to achieve extraordinary things. This is a time for serious study, moral development, and the accumulation of resources that will serve great purposes in the future.
The Image (大象传)
君子以多识前言往行，以畜其德。
Translation: "Heaven within the mountain: the image of the Taming Power of the Great. Thus the superior person acquires wide knowledge of words and deeds of the past, in order to strengthen his character thereby."
The image of heaven contained within the mountain presents a powerful metaphor for the accumulation of vast potential within a stable, grounded form. Just as a mountain holds the creative energy of heaven within its solid structure, the superior person contains tremendous power through disciplined cultivation and learning. This hexagram calls you to study the wisdom of the past, learning from the words and actions of those who came before. By absorbing the lessons of history, philosophy, and human experience, you build an inner treasury of knowledge that strengthens your character and expands your capacity. This is not mere intellectual accumulation but the integration of wisdom into your very being, transforming information into virtue and understanding into power.
The practice of studying ancient wisdom and exemplary conduct serves to tame and refine your own nature, channeling raw potential into cultivated excellence. Like a mountain that stands unmoved by passing storms, you develop stability and strength through continuous learning and moral development. This process of accumulation is both patient and purposeful, building layer upon layer of understanding and capability. The superior person recognizes that true greatness requires deep roots in tradition and wisdom, combined with the discipline to apply these lessons consistently in daily life.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"Danger is at hand. It furthers one to desist."
At the beginning of accumulation, you face the challenge of recognizing when to hold back. Strong impulses push you forward, but wisdom counsels restraint. This line teaches the essential lesson that knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to advance. Recognize the danger in premature action and use this moment to build your strength rather than expend it. By exercising self-control now, you avoid unnecessary risks and preserve your energy for more opportune times. This restraint is not weakness but the foundation of true power.
Nine in the Second Place (九二)
Second line - Yang
"The axletrees are taken from the wagon."
This line indicates a situation where forward movement is naturally prevented, forcing you to pause and accumulate strength. Like a wagon with its axles removed, you cannot proceed regardless of your desire to advance. Rather than fighting this restraint, accept it as an opportunity for preparation and cultivation. Use this enforced stillness to deepen your knowledge, refine your skills, and strengthen your character. The inability to move forward now protects you from premature action and allows necessary development to occur. Embrace this period of restraint as essential preparation for future success.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"A good horse that follows others. Awareness of danger, with perseverance, furthers. Practice chariot driving and armed defense daily. It furthers one to have somewhere to go."
This line marks a turning point where accumulated strength begins to find expression through disciplined practice and preparation. Like a fine horse trained for service or a warrior practicing daily skills, you must now actively develop your capabilities through consistent effort. The emphasis on awareness of danger reminds you to maintain vigilance even as you advance. Regular practice, whether in your profession, relationships, or personal development, transforms potential into actual ability. Your accumulated strength now requires refinement through application, preparing you for significant undertakings ahead.
Six in the Fourth Place (六四)
Fourth line - Yin
"The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune."
This line teaches the wisdom of early restraint and proper guidance. Just as placing a headboard on a young bull prevents the development of dangerous habits, addressing challenges at their source brings great success. By establishing proper boundaries and disciplines early in any process, you prevent problems from developing and channel energy constructively. This represents preventive wisdom rather than corrective action. Whether guiding others, managing projects, or developing personal habits, early intervention and proper structure create conditions for harmonious development and prevent future difficulties. The restraint applied here is gentle but effective.
Six in the Fifth Place (六五)
Fifth line - Yin
"The tusk of a gelded boar. Good fortune."
The ruler's position emphasizes the power of indirect control and wise management of force. Like removing the source of a boar's aggression rather than constantly fighting it, you achieve control through addressing root causes rather than symptoms. This line represents sophisticated restraint that transforms potentially destructive energy into harmless or even beneficial force. In leadership, relationships, or personal development, seek to redirect rather than suppress energy. By understanding the source of power and managing it wisely, you achieve lasting control without constant struggle. This is the mark of true mastery and brings excellent fortune.
Nine at the Top (上九)
Top line - Yang
"One attains the way of heaven. Success."
At the culmination of accumulation, the way opens and success arrives. All the patient gathering of strength, knowledge, and virtue now finds its purpose and expression. Like reaching a highway that connects to all destinations, you have access to unlimited possibilities through your accumulated power. This line represents the fruition of disciplined cultivation, where restraint transforms into freedom and accumulated potential becomes realized achievement. The path ahead is clear and open. Your preparation has been thorough, and now you can proceed with confidence toward great accomplishments. Success comes naturally as the result of proper accumulation and timing.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of the heart, hexagram 26 emphasizes the importance of building strong foundations through patient cultivation of virtue and character. This is a time to develop yourself into a person worthy of deep love rather than desperately seeking partnership. For those in relationships, focus on accumulating shared experiences, mutual understanding, and emotional depth rather than rushing toward milestones. The taming power suggests that controlling impulsive reactions and cultivating patience strengthens bonds significantly. Like a mountain that stands firm, your stability and self-development become attractive qualities that draw the right person to you or deepen existing connections through demonstrated reliability and growth.
For singles, this hexagram counsels against eating at home, meaning you should venture into the world and engage in meaningful activities where you can meet compatible partners. However, do so from a foundation of self-cultivation rather than desperate seeking. Develop your interests, expand your knowledge, and strengthen your character. The right relationship will emerge when you have accumulated sufficient inner resources to sustain it. Study the patterns of successful relationships, learn from past experiences, and integrate this wisdom into your approach to love. Your accumulated self-knowledge and emotional maturity will attract relationships of substance and depth.
In established relationships, this is an excellent time to deepen your bond through shared learning, mutual support of each other's growth, and the patient accumulation of positive experiences together. Restrain petty conflicts and channel your combined energy toward meaningful shared goals. Like two mountains standing together, you create stability through mutual strength. Support your partner's self-development while pursuing your own growth. The relationship becomes a container for accumulated wisdom, shared memories, and deepening intimacy. Practice daily acts of consideration and care, building a treasury of goodwill that sustains the relationship through challenging times.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 26 signals a crucial period for building expertise, accumulating credentials, and developing deep competence in your field. This is not the time for job-hopping or seeking quick advancement, but rather for becoming truly excellent at what you do through sustained study and practice. Invest in education, seek mentorship from experienced professionals, and build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge. Like a mountain accumulating mass over geological time, your career strength grows through patient layering of experience and capability. The reference to crossing great waters suggests that this accumulation prepares you for significant professional challenges and opportunities that require substantial expertise and confidence.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this hexagram emphasizes the importance of building organizational capacity, developing systems, and accumulating resources before major expansion. Restrain the impulse to grow too quickly or take on projects beyond your current capability. Instead, focus on strengthening your team, refining your processes, and building financial reserves. Study successful businesses in your industry, learn from both triumphs and failures, and integrate these lessons into your operations. The taming power suggests that controlling expenses, managing growth carefully, and building sustainable practices creates the foundation for eventual breakthrough success. Your business becomes a mountain of accumulated capability.
In workplace dynamics, demonstrate the taming power through self-discipline, continuous learning, and the patient accumulation of achievements. Rather than seeking immediate recognition, focus on building an undeniable track record of excellence. Restrain office politics and channel your energy into meaningful contributions. Study the history and culture of your organization, learning from institutional knowledge and past successes. This accumulated understanding positions you for leadership roles when opportunities arise. Your reputation grows naturally as colleagues recognize your depth of knowledge, reliability, and sustained high performance. The mountain stands firm while lesser peaks erode.
Health & Wellness (健康)
From a health perspective, hexagram 26 emphasizes building robust vitality through disciplined lifestyle practices and the accumulation of healthy habits. This is an ideal time to establish exercise routines, improve nutrition, and develop practices that build long-term wellness rather than seeking quick fixes. The taming power suggests that controlling unhealthy impulses and channeling energy into constructive health practices creates lasting vitality. Like a mountain that stands strong through all seasons, your body becomes resilient through consistent care and the patient building of strength, flexibility, and endurance. Focus on preventive health measures and the gradual improvement of overall fitness rather than dramatic interventions.
For those recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions, this hexagram counsels patient accumulation of healing through consistent treatment, proper rest, and gradual rebuilding of strength. Restrain the impulse to rush recovery or push beyond current capacity. Instead, work steadily within your limits while gradually expanding them through disciplined practice. Study your condition thoroughly, learn from medical professionals and reliable sources, and integrate this knowledge into your healing approach. The mountain's stability represents the steady foundation of health you are building through patient effort. Each day's healthy choices accumulate into significant improvement over time.
Mental and emotional health benefit greatly from the principles of hexagram 26. Develop practices that build psychological resilience and emotional stability through meditation, therapy, journaling, or other reflective practices. Restrain destructive thought patterns and cultivate constructive mental habits through consistent effort. Study wisdom traditions, psychology, and personal development to accumulate understanding of your own mind and emotions. This inner work creates a mountain of psychological strength that remains stable through life's challenges. The taming power transforms reactive emotions into considered responses, building emotional maturity and mental clarity through disciplined self-observation and growth.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 26 strongly favors the accumulation of wealth through disciplined saving, wise investment, and the patient building of assets over time. This is not a period for speculation or get-rich-quick schemes, but rather for establishing solid financial foundations through consistent effort and restraint of unnecessary spending. The taming power suggests that controlling impulse purchases and channeling resources toward long-term investments creates substantial wealth. Like a mountain that accumulates mass grain by grain, your financial security grows through regular contributions to savings, retirement accounts, and diversified investments. Study financial principles, learn from successful investors, and integrate proven strategies into your money management approach.
For business finances, this hexagram emphasizes building reserves, managing cash flow carefully, and investing in capabilities that increase long-term value rather than short-term gains. Restrain the temptation to distribute all profits immediately; instead, accumulate resources that enable future growth and provide buffers against economic challenges. The reference to crossing great waters suggests that your accumulated financial strength will enable you to undertake significant ventures or weather major economic storms. Build your business's financial mountain through consistent profitability, careful expense management, and strategic reinvestment. This patient accumulation creates the foundation for eventual expansion or the resilience to survive difficult periods.
In personal financial planning, apply the principle of not eating at home by ensuring your accumulated wealth serves purposes beyond immediate consumption. Invest in education, skill development, and opportunities that increase your earning capacity. Build multiple income streams through patient development of side ventures or passive income sources. Study the financial strategies of successful wealth builders, learning from their discipline and long-term thinking. The taming power in finance means controlling the impulse for immediate gratification and channeling resources toward accumulating assets that appreciate over time. Your financial mountain grows steadily, providing security and enabling future opportunities.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 26 represents an exceptional opportunity for profound personal development through the disciplined accumulation of wisdom, virtue, and self-knowledge. This is a time to commit seriously to your growth, studying philosophy, psychology, spirituality, or whatever domains call to your deeper nature. The image of heaven within the mountain suggests that you contain vast potential that requires patient cultivation to manifest fully. Restrain the impulse to scatter your energy across superficial pursuits and instead focus deeply on fundamental self-development. Like the superior person who studies ancient wisdom, immerse yourself in teachings that have stood the test of time, integrating these lessons into your character through consistent practice and reflection.
The taming power in personal growth means developing the ability to control reactive patterns, transform negative tendencies, and channel your energy toward becoming your highest self. This requires honest self-examination, the courage to face your shadows, and the discipline to change ingrained habits. Study your own patterns through journaling, meditation, or therapy, accumulating self-knowledge that enables conscious transformation. Each insight integrated, each habit improved, each reactive pattern tamed adds to your mountain of personal development. This is not quick or easy work, but it builds a foundation of character and consciousness that serves you throughout life. The accumulation of self-mastery becomes your greatest achievement.
Engage with teachers, mentors, and wisdom traditions that can guide your development, but ultimately the work of accumulation happens through your own consistent effort. Practice daily disciplines that strengthen your character, expand your awareness, and deepen your understanding. Whether through meditation, study, creative expression, or service to others, find practices that build your inner mountain of wisdom and capability. The reference to crossing great waters suggests that this accumulated personal development prepares you for life's major transitions and challenges. Your cultivated strength, wisdom, and self-knowledge become resources you can draw upon in any situation, enabling you to navigate life with grace and effectiveness.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing of hexagram 26 calls for patient accumulation rather than immediate action. This is a period for building strength, gathering resources, and developing capabilities that will serve you in the future. Restrain the impulse to force outcomes or rush toward goals before you have accumulated sufficient preparation. Like a mountain that forms over vast stretches of time, your current work may not show immediate results, but it creates lasting foundations for future success. The cosmos supports your efforts to build, learn, and grow. Trust that this period of accumulation, though it may feel slow, is essential preparation for the significant achievements and challenges that lie ahead.
The advice of hexagram 26 is clear: commit to serious cultivation of your capabilities, character, and resources. Study deeply, practice consistently, and build systematically. Restrain lesser impulses and channel your energy toward meaningful accumulation. Seek wisdom from the past while applying it to present circumstances. The reference to not eating at home reminds you that your accumulated strength should ultimately serve purposes beyond yourself, preparing you for contributions to the wider world. However, the time for such service comes after sufficient preparation. For now, focus on building your mountain of capability through disciplined effort and patient development.
Remember that the taming power works in two directions: it restrains destructive or premature impulses while it accumulates constructive energy and capability. Both aspects are essential. Control what needs controlling in yourself while building what needs building. The mountain stands firm, unmoved by passing storms, because it has accumulated tremendous mass and stability. Similarly, your patient accumulation of wisdom, skill, virtue, and resources creates a foundation that cannot be shaken by life's challenges. When the time comes to cross great waters, you will have the strength and preparation necessary for success. Until then, embrace this period of accumulation with dedication and patience.