Structural Analysis, Meaning, and Philosophical Inquiry of the Hexagram Huotian Dayou (Fire Over Heaven)
This article systematically investigates the fourteenth hexagram of the *I Ching*, *Huotian Dayou*, analyzing its structure (Li over Qian), delineating the rich connotations of 'Great Possession,' and interpreting its principle of 'One Softness in Supremacy Responded to by Five Yangs' through the lens of Pre-Qin texts, thereby revealing its profound significance in ancient political philosophy.
Section 3: The Thought of the Central Path in "Great Center"
The term "Great Center" (Da Zhong) involves the core concept of the Central Path in Pre-Qin thought.
The concept of "Zhong" (Center) holds an extremely important position in Pre-Qin thought.
First, "Center" in Politics.
The Shangshu, Da Yu Mo's "Firmly hold the Center" (允执厥中) is the holding of the Center in governance. The Way of governing is neither biased nor leaning, neither excessive nor insufficient—this is the Middle Way.
The Lunyu, Yong Ye, records Confucius saying: "The Middle Way is indeed the utmost virtue! It has been rare among people for long" (中庸之为德也，其至矣乎！民鲜久矣). The Middle Way is acting centrally and uprightly, and maintaining it constantly.
Second, "Center" in Cosmology.
The "Center" is the heart of Heaven and Earth. The Liji, Zhong Yong, states: "When joy, anger, sorrow, and delight are not yet manifested, this is called the Center; when they are manifested and all are in harmony with the proper degree, this is called Harmony. The Center is the great root of the world; Harmony is the universal Way of the world. When the Center and Harmony are achieved, Heaven and Earth find their proper positions, and the myriad things are nourished" (喜怒哀乐之未发，谓之中；发而皆中节，谓之和。中也者，天下之大本也；和也者，天下之达道也。致中和，天地位焉，万物育焉).
The Center is the great root of the world. The Sixth Line Five of Da You obtains this "Great Center," meaning it has grasped the great root of the world. With the great root in hand, all things are naturally nourished, and all affairs naturally accomplished—this is the fundamental reason for Da You.
Third, the distinction between "Great Center" and "Center."
Calling it "Great Center" rather than just "Center" has deep implications.
Ordinary "Center" might refer to the center of a single event or a single moment; "Great Center," however, refers to the center of all things under heaven, across all ages. The Sixth Line Five, occupying the position of honor and practicing the Middle Way, has an influence that is not limited to one person or one event, but extends to all regions under heaven and across all ages, hence it is called "Great Center."