Structural Analysis, Meaning, and Philosophical Inquiry of the Hexagram Huotian Dayou (Fire Over Heaven)

Appendix 3: Compilation of Texts Related to "Da You" in Pre-Qin Classics

I. Related Phrases in the Shangshu

The Shangshu, Pan Geng Shang, states: "If you have internal harm, it lies in your heart" (汝有戕则在乃心). This refers to the dissatisfaction among the Yin people. This usage of "You" (to have) is not the specific name "Da You," but it can serve as a comparison.

The Shangshu, Hong Fan, states: "If you have great doubts" (汝则有大疑). This connects "Da" (Great) and "You" (to have), although it is not the specific term "Da You," the grammatical structure is similar.

II. Related Phrases in the Shijing

The Shijing, Da Ya, "Da Ming," states: "There is a mandate from Heaven, which appointed this King Wen" (有命自天，命此文王). The Heavenly Mandate descends upon King Wen, which is the poetic expression of Upper Nine in Da You, "assisted by Heaven."

The Shijing, Da Ya, "Wen Wang," states: "King Wen is in the high place, making clear his virtue to Heaven" (文王在上，於昭于天). King Wen's virtue shines to Heaven, which is the personified expression of Fire in the Sky.

III. Usage of "Da You" in the Zuo Zhuan

The Zuo Zhuan, Xi Gong 25, mentions "Obtaining the Guai of Da You" (遇大有之睽), which is a direct appearance of the Da You hexagram in Pre-Qin literature, discussed in detail previously.

Although there are no other examples in the Zuo Zhuan directly naming the Da You hexagram, many passages discuss the underlying principles of the Da You hexagram, such as discussions on loyalty and trustworthiness, honoring the worthy, the Heavenly Mandate, and stopping evil and promoting good, all of which can be considered indirect elucidations of the Dao of Da You.

IV. Related Sayings in the Lunyu

The Lunyu, Wei Zheng: "To govern by virtue is like the North Star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it" (为政以德，譬如北辰，居其所而众星共之). This aligns with the image of Six Five in Da You, yieldingly occupying the position of honor while all above and below respond to it.

The Lunyu, Tai Bo: "How towering was the virtue of Shun and Yu, who possessed the realm but did not claim it!" (巍巍乎，舜禹之有天下也而不与焉). Possessing the realm but not claiming it as private—this is the spirit of public justice in Da You.

V. Dedicated Explication of Upper Nine of Da You in the Xi Ci Zhuan

The Xi Ci Zhuan, Part I, Chapter 12, contains Confucius's detailed philosophical elaboration on the Upper Nine statement of Da You. The full text is:

"The Master said: 'You means assistance. What Heaven assists is that which accords with its Way; what men assist is that which is trustworthy. To practice trustworthiness while contemplating accord, and further, to honor the worthy—therefore Heaven assists him, making it auspicious and without anything unfavorable.'" (子曰：“祐者，助也。天之所助者，顺也；人之所助者，信也。履信思乎顺，又以尚贤也。是以自天祐之，吉无不利也。”)

This passage was analyzed in detail in the preceding chapters and is not repeated here.