A Study of the Structure, Philosophical Principles, and Philosophy of Hexagram Huo Tian Da You (Fire over Heaven, Great Possession)
This article systematically investigates the fourteenth hexagram of the Yijing, 'Fire over Heaven — Great Possession' (Huo Tian Da You), analyzing its trigram structure of Li above Qian below, elucidating the rich connotations of 'Great Possession,' and drawing upon pre-Qin literature to expound the principle of 'one yielding line in the place of honor, five firm lines responding to it' — the way of grand virtue and great enterprise — revealing its profound significance in ancient political philosophy.
Appendix Two: A Study of the Numerical Symbolism of Hexagram Da You
I. Hexagram Number
Pre-Heaven arrangement: upper Li (number 3), lower Qian (number 1). Post-Heaven arrangement: upper Li (south), lower Qian (northwest).
II. Line Numbers
Total: 5 x 9 + 6 = 51. The great expansion number is 50 (Xici Shangzhuan) — close to Da You's total of 51, perhaps not coincidental.
III. Characteristics
Six one-yin-five-yang hexagrams exist (Da You, Gou, Xiao Xu, Guai, Tong Ren, Lu). Da You with yin in the fifth position is the most honored among them.