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Fortune Telling, Divination, and Wisdom For Everyday Life
I Ching of a Thousand Doors
1. 乾 The Creative
The Creative represent that which is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.
The Judgment (Decision)
The Name
Commentary on the Judgment
☰ 乾 Qián Heaven/Sky
Trigrams Nuclear Trigrams
☰ 乾 Qián Heaven/Sky
☰ 乾 Qián Heaven/Sky
☰ 乾 Qián Heaven/Sky
The Image
Heaven's motion gives the idea of strength. The superior man, in accordance with this, readies himself to ceaseless activity.
☰ 乾 Qián Heaven/Sky
☰ 乾 Qián Heaven/Sky
Vast is the great and originating power indicated by The Creative! All things owe to it their beginning: it contains all the meaning belonging to the name heaven.\n The clouds move and the rain is distributed; the various things appear in their developed forms.\nThe sages grandly understand the connexion between the end and the beginning, and how the six lines are accomplished, each in its season. Accordingly, they mount the carriage drawn by those six dragons at the proper times, and drive through the sky. The method of The Creative is to change and transform, so that everything obtains it's correct nature as appointed by the mind of Heaven; and thereafter the conditions of great harmony are preserved in union. The result is what is advantageous, and correct and firm.
Notes
The First Line
Line 4
Commentary
NINE, undivided — The dragon lying hidden in the deep. It is not the time to be active.
'The dragon lies hid (in the deep);--it is not the time for active doing?' The Master said:--There he is, with the powers of the dragon, and yet lying hid. The influence of the world would make no change in him; he would do nothing (merely) to secure his fame. He can live, withdrawn from the world, without regret; he can experience disapproval without trouble of mind. Rejoicing (in opportunity), he carries his principles into action; sorrowing (for want of opportunity), he keeps with them in retirement. Yes, he is not to be torn from his root (in himself).' This is 'the dragon lying hid.'
NINE, undivided — The dragon looks as if he were leaping up, but still in the deep. There will be no mistake.
Commentary
'He is as if he were leaping up, (but still) is in the deep; there will be no mistake?' The Master said: 'He finds no permanent place either above or below, but he does not commit the error of advancing. He may advance or recede; there is no permanent place for him: but he does not leave his fellows. The superior man, advancing in virtue and cultivating the sphere of his duty, yet wishes to advance only at the proper time, and therefore there is no mistake.’/n'He is as if he were leaping up, but is still in the deep:’ — he is making trial of himself./n'He is as if he were leaping up, but is still in the deep:’ —a change is taking place in the method indicated by the Qián diagram
Line 2
NINE, undivided — The dragon appearing in the field. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
Commentary
'The dragon shows himself and is in the field;--it will be advantageous to see the great man?' The Master said:--'There he is, with the dragon's powers, and occupying exactly the central place. He is sincere (even) in his ordinary words, and earnest in his ordinary conduct. Guarding against depravity, he preserves his sincerity. His goodness is recognised in the world, but he does not boast of it. His virtue is extensively displayed, and transformation ensues. The language of the Yî, "The dragon shows himself and is in the field;--it will be advantageous to see the great man." refers to a ruler's virtue.'
Line 3
NINE, undivided —The superior man active and vigilant all the day, and in the evening still careful and apprehensive. The position is dangerous, but there will be no mistake.
Commentary
The superior man is active and vigilant all the day, and in the evening (still) careful and apprehensive;--the position is dangerous, but there will be no mistake?’ /nThe Master said:--'The superior man advances in virtue, and cultivates all the sphere of his duty. His leal-heartedness and good faith are the way by which he advances in virtue. His attention to his words and establishing his sincerity are the way by which he occupies in his sphere. He knows the utmost point to be reached, and reaches it, thus showing himself in accord with the first springs (of things); he knows the end to be rested in, and rests in it, thus preserving his righteousness in accordance with that end. Therefore he occupies a high position without pride, and a low position without anxiety. Thus it is that, being active and vigilant, and careful (also) and apprehensive as the time requires, though his position be perilous, he will make no mistake.’/n'All the day active and vigilant:'--continually, as the time passes and requires, does he act.
Line 5
NINE, undivided — As the dragon on the wing in the sky. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
Commentary
'The dragon is on the wing in the sky; it will be advantageous to see the great man?’/n The Master said: 'Notes of the same key respond to one another; creatures of the same nature seek one another; water flows towards the place that is low and damp; fire rises up towards what is dry; clouds follow the dragon, and winds follow the tiger: so, the sage makes his appearance, and all men look to him. Things that draw their origin from heaven move towards what is above; things that draw their origin from the earth cleave to what is below: so does everything follow its kind.'
Top Line
NINE, undivided — The dragon exceeding the proper limits. There will be occasion for repentance.
Commentary
'The dragon exceeds the proper limits; there will be occasion for repentance?/n' The Master said: 'The position is noble, but it is not that of office; its occupant dwells on high, but he has no people to rule; and the men of talent and virtue in the positions below will give him no aid; should he move in such a case, there will be occasion for repentance.'
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