Hexagram 28: Preponderance of the Great (大過 Dà Guò) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 28 (大過 Preponderance of the Great)?

I Ching Hexagram 28, 大過 (Dà Guò), represents Preponderance of the Great. It is formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Preponderance of the Great. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. Success....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 28 mean?

The Image states: 'The lake rises above the trees: the image of Preponderance of the Great. Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he has to renounce the world, he is undaunted.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 28 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how Preponderance of the Great manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 28 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 28 (Preponderance of the Great) follows Hexagram 27 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

大過

Dà Guò — Hexagram 28

Preponderance of the Great

Lake (兌 Duì) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 28, 大過 (Dà Guò), represents Preponderance of the Great. Formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below, this hexagram teaches about preponderance of the great. The core message: Preponderance of the Great. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. Success..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 28 is formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving

The Judgment

Preponderance of the Great. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. Success.

— I Ching, Preponderance of the Great

The Image

The lake rises above the trees: the image of Preponderance of the Great. Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he has to renounce the world, he is undaunted.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: To spread white rushes underneath. No blame.

Line 2: Line 2: A dry poplar sprouts at the root. An older man takes a young wife. Everything furthers.

Line 3: Line 3: The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Misfortune.

Line 4: Line 4: The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune. If there are ulterior motives, it is humiliating.

Line 5: Line 5: A dry poplar puts forth flowers. An older woman takes a husband. No blame, no praise.

Line 6: Line 6: One must go through the water. It goes over one's head. Misfortune. No blame.

Modern Application

Hexagram 28 describes a situation of excess and imbalance — the ridgepole sagging under too much weight. The lake rising above the trees represents water where it should not be, a violation of natural order. Yet the hexagram is not merely a warning: it also points to the unusual strength required in extreme situations. The superior person who can stand alone and renounce the world without fear embodies the positive aspect of Preponderance. In modern terms, this hexagram applies to crisis management, overload situations, disproportionate burdens, and the extraordinary measures that extreme circumstances sometimes demand. The key is knowing when the ridgepole needs bracing versus when it is about to break.

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