Hexagram 14 · Da You 大有
Use what you have with clarity and responsibility
Da You places Fire above Heaven. Its only divided line occupies the fifth position, with five unbroken lines around it. The classical commentary describes a central position that receives a response from those above and below.
Short answer
Read Da You as a prompt to examine how you hold and use available resources. Capacity, support, or influence creates an opportunity to do useful work, together with responsibility for its effects.
- Upper
- Li · Fire
- Lower
- Qian · Heaven
Pattern
Fire above Heaven
- Chinese
- 大有
- Upper trigram
- Li · Fire
- Lower trigram
- Qian · Heaven
- Lines
- One yin in the fifth position
Classical text
Abundance asks for sound judgment
大有：元亨。— Zhouyi, Hexagram 14
The brief judgment speaks of great progress. The Tuan commentary explains Great Possession through the yielding line in a respected central position, supported from above and below. It joins strength with clarity and action suited to the time. The emphasis is on the qualities needed to hold a substantial position well.
The Image says “火在天上，大有；君子以遏惡揚善，順天休命”. The Image presents fire above heaven and the exemplary person restraining harm and promoting good. A modern application can be to direct resources toward useful ends while taking responsibility for how they are obtained and used. The second line pictures a large wagon able to carry a load, and the fifth pairs trust with dignity. These images invite an examination of capacity and conduct; they do not predict a particular gain.
When it helps
Give resources a useful purpose
Take stock of the time, skills, tools, and support you actually have. Decide what they can responsibly carry, where they would help most, and who else is affected by their use.
What to watch
Keep capacity and ambition in proportion
Success can make a larger commitment look easier than it is. Check the load you are taking on, the standards you need to keep, and whether others can question your decisions.
Questions for reflection
- What resources and support are truly available?
- What would be a responsible use of this capacity?
- How can I remain answerable for the effects of my decisions?
Read moving lines with the question and method of your own cast; this reference is not a complete reading. See how changing lines are displayed.
Sources
Check the original text
This page paraphrases the classical material and labels its practical examples about resources and leadership as modern interpretation.