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

Section 4: The Duke of Zhou’s Regency and the Preservation of Da You

After King Wu’s death, King Cheng was young, and the Duke of Zhou served as regent. The Duke of Zhou’s regency can be seen as the model for preserving the enterprise of Da You.

I. The Duke of Zhou’s "Not Puffed Up."

The Duke of Zhou held supreme power as regent, yet he never became arrogant due to his authority. This perfectly accords with the line statement of Nine Four: "Not puffed up, no blame."

The Shangshu, Jin Teng, records the Duke of Zhou’s words: "My virtue is not equal to that of my father; I possess many talents and abilities, and I can serve the spirits. Yet my grandson King Cheng is not as talented or able as Dan myself, and cannot serve the spirits" (予仁若考，能多材多艺，能事鬼神。乃元孙不若旦多材多艺，不能事鬼神). The Duke of Zhou spoke of his many talents but did not boast of them, instead facing the Heavenly Mandate with humility.

Also, the Shangshu, Da Gao, records the Duke of Zhou’s words: "I am but a young child, I dare not neglect the mandate of the High God" (予惟小子，不敢替上帝命). The Duke of Zhou referred to himself as a "young child," daring not to become arrogant—this is the ultimate manifestation of "not puffed up."

II. The Duke of Zhou’s Establishment of Rites and Music.

The Duke of Zhou acted as regent for seven years, establishing the rituals and musical institutions of the Zhou Dynasty. This was the institutional realization of Da You’s "stopping evil and promoting good."

Rites distinguish the high from the low, and clarify differences, ensuring everyone remains in their proper station—this is the institutional guarantee for "stopping evil." Music harmonizes human hearts and regulates temperaments, causing people to delight in goodness—this is the spiritual tool for "promoting good."

The Liji, Yue Ji, states: "Music is the harmony of Heaven and Earth; Rites are the order of Heaven and Earth. Because of Harmony, all things transform; because of Order, all things are distinguished. Music is made by Heaven; Rites are established by Earth" (乐者，天地之和也；礼者，天地之序也。和故百物皆化；序故群物皆别。乐由天作，礼以地制). The parallel functioning of Rites and Music, order and harmony combined, forms the institutional foundation for governance in Da You.

III. The Duke of Zhou’s Return of Power.

After seven years as regent, the Duke of Zhou returned power to King Cheng. This act was praised by later generations for ages.

The reason the Duke of Zhou could return power lies precisely in his refusal to privatize the enterprise of Da You. The enterprise of Da You is not the private property of one person, but the public enterprise of the entire realm. The Duke of Zhou acted in place of the ruler, and when King Cheng grew up, he returned governance. This spirit of public ownership aligns with the great meaning of Da You.

The Mengzi, Wan Zhang Shang, records: "The Duke of Zhou not taking the realm is like Yi and Tai Jia returning power to Qi" (周公之不有天下，犹益之于启与太甲也). The Duke of Zhou did not treat the realm as his private possession; this is the very meaning of Da You. Da You is not private possession; it is public possession.