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 Three: A Collation of "Da You"-Related Texts in Pre-Qin Classics
I. Shangshu
The Shangshu — Hong Fan: "When you have a great doubt." "Great" and "have" used consecutively, though not the specific term "Da You."
II. Shijing
The Shijing — Da Ya — Da Ming: "The mandate came from Heaven — it mandated this King Wen." The poetic expression of "from Heaven it is blessed."
The Shijing — Da Ya — Wen Wang: "King Wen is on high; oh, he shines in Heaven." The personified expression of fire above heaven.
III. Zuozhuan
The Zuozhuan — Duke Xi Year 25: "encountered Da You changing to Kui." The direct appearance of hexagram Da You, as discussed in detail above.
IV. Lunyu
"To govern by virtue is like the Pole Star dwelling in its place while all the other stars revolve about it." Matches Six in the Fifth — yielding in the place of honor with above and below responding.
"How majestic! Shun and Yu possessed all under heaven, yet took no part in it." Possessing yet not treating as private — the spirit of public-mindedness in Da You.
V. Xici Zhuan on Da You's Top Nine
"The Master said: 'You (blessed) means aided. What Heaven aids is compliance. What people aid is trustworthiness. One treads the path of trust and thinks of compliance, and moreover esteems the worthy. Therefore from Heaven it is blessed — auspicious, nothing unfavorable.'"
The most detailed philosophical exposition of Da You in pre-Qin literature.