Hexagram Analysis

I Ching Hexagram 55 : 豐 Fêng / Abundance (Fullness)

Chên represents motion, while Li embodies the quality of clarity, akin to a flame. When clarity is present within oneself, it manifests as movement in the external world. This combination leads to prosperity and abundance. The hexagram depicts a time of great advancement in civilization. However, the very fact that progress has peaked implies that this exceptional state of plenty cannot be sustained indefinitely.

The Judgment

Success comes with abundance. One can attain abundance like a king. Do not despair. Shine like the sun at noon.

Not every individual possesses the ability to usher in a period of remarkable prosperity and success. Only a natural leader of people can accomplish this feat, as their aspirations are aimed towards greatness. Such a time of abundance is typically fleeting, causing a wise person to feel melancholic about the inevitable decline that will follow. However, such sorrow is not fitting for them. Only a person who is internally free from grief and anxiety can guide during a time of plenty. They must resemble the sun at noon, brightening and cheering everything beneath the sky.

The Image

The arrival of thunder and lightning signifies abundance. Therefore, a wise individual settles disputes and enforces penalties.

The hexagram at hand shares a connection with BITING THROUGH (21), which also features thunder and lightning, but in reverse order. While BITING THROUGH establishes laws, this hexagram enforces them with precision. The inner clarity [Li] allows for accurate fact-finding, while the external shock [Chên] ensures strict punishment.