豐Feng · Abundance
In one sentence
This is the very height. Use it well, and know that what peaks will decline.
Greatness and fullness, like the sun at noon. Do not worry; while it lasts, get things done openly and honorably. At the same time understand that once noon has passed the sun begins to slant. Do not mistake now for forever.
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- This is your peak: you have resources, momentum, and people who listen when you speak. No need to worry about later; while it lasts, openly and honorably get the big things done and make the decisions that need making. Just understand that once noon passes the sun begins to slant: stay at the center, don't overdo it, and don't take now for forever.
- Love
- The feeling is at its warmest and fullest. Enjoy it, and don't fret in advance about it fading. While you are both open and bright with each other, say what needs saying and settle what needs settling. Know too that the heat won't stay at its peak, so don't hold every later day to the intensity of this one.
- Money
- You have plenty on hand, and income is running strong. Do the proper things that need doing now, and as long as the money is used openly and honorably, that's fine. But don't plan your later days on your peak income: don't spread yourself too wide, and set a portion aside for after the sun has slanted.
This is the hexagram as a whole. If your cast has changing lines, the line text governs; each line's page has its own reading for work, love and money.
The judgment
In plain wordsGreatness; things go through. Only a king can reach a state like this. There is no need to worry that what is at its height must decline. Just be like the sun at noon: stay in the center and do not overshoot.
The Tuan commentary
豐，大也。明以動，故豐。王假之，尚大也。勿憂宜日中，宜照天下也。日中則昃，月盈則食，天地盈虛，與時消息，而況於人乎？況於鬼神乎？
Feng means great. Brightness, and so movement: therefore abundance. "The king attains it": he prizes what is great. "Do not worry. Be like the sun at midday": it is fitting to light up all under heaven. When the sun reaches midday it begins to slant; when the moon is full it begins to be eaten away. Heaven and earth fill and empty, waning and growing with the time. How much more is this so for people? How much more for ghosts and spirits?
The Tuan (“judgment”) commentary is one of the Ten Wings. It explains the hexagram name and the judgment from the two trigrams and the positions of the lines.
The image
雷電皆至，豐。君子以折獄致刑。
Thunder and lightning arrive together: Feng (Abundance). The noble one decides lawsuits and carries out punishments.
The lines
Nine at the beginning
Text遇其配主，雖旬无咎，往有尚。One meets the lord who is one's match. Though they are equals, no blame. Going earns esteem.In plain wordsYou meet the person who is your match. Though the two of you are equally strong, there is no blame. Go to him and you will be valued. More on this line →
Six in the second place
Text豐其蔀，日中見斗。往得疑疾，有孚發若，吉。The screen is so large that the Dipper is seen at midday. Going brings suspicion and ill will. There is sincerity that opens the way: good fortune.In plain wordsThe covering is so great that the Northern Dipper can be seen in broad daylight. You see clearly, but the one above you is in the dark; if you go to follow him, you will only be suspected. The only way is to build up enough sincerity to move him and open his eyes. Good fortune. More on this line →
Nine in the third place
Text豐其沛，日中見沬。折其右肱，无咎。The curtain is so large that the faint stars are seen at midday. The right arm is broken. No blame.In plain wordsThe covering is worse still: in broad daylight even the small stars can be seen. It is like breaking your right arm, and nothing can be accomplished. But this is not your fault. More on this line →
Nine in the fourth place
Text豐其蔀，日中見斗。遇其夷主，吉。The screen is so large that the Dipper is seen at midday. One meets the lord who is one's equal. Good fortune.In plain wordsThe covering is great, and the Northern Dipper can be seen in broad daylight. It is dark above, so go downward and find the person who is of one heart and one virtue with you. Good fortune. More on this line →
Six in the fifth place
Text來章，有慶譽，吉。Brilliance is brought in. There is celebration and praise. Good fortune.In plain wordsInvite the talented and virtuous people of the world to your side, and there will be cause for celebration and a fine name. Good fortune. If you are not clear-sighted enough yourself, borrow the clear sight of others. More on this line →
Six at the top
Text豐其屋，蔀其家，窺其戶，闃其无人，三歲不覿，凶。The house is made grand and the household screened off. Peering through the door: silent, no one there. For three years no one is seen. Misfortune.In plain wordsThe house is built tall and grand, but it shuts your own home off completely. Peer in through the crack of the door and it is dead quiet, not a soul inside; for three years no one is seen. Misfortune. Greatness carried to the limit has locked you up in darkness instead. More on this line →
Lines are counted from the bottom. “Nine” is a yang (solid) line, “six” a yin (broken) line. A line applies to your reading only when it is a changing line.
Related hexagrams
Primary, resulting, nuclear, opposite and inverted hexagrams explained →
In the hexagram calendar
In the Tang monk Yixing’s Dayan calendar, Feng belongs to the second pentad of Minor Heat, “Crickets shelter in the walls” (July 12 to July 16, 2027).