Hexagram 14: Great Possession
大有 Dà Yǒu · Fire over Heaven
You hold a lot in your hands right now: talent, support, opportunity, or influence. This hexagram speaks of great possession, a time of fullness and clarity. It asks you to handle that abundance with modesty and good judgment, use it for something worthwhile, and share it generously. Holding plenty well is a skill, and it is the real test here.
| Number (King Wen order) | 14 |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 大有 (Dà Yǒu) |
| Upper trigram | ☲ Fire (Lí): clear, bright, clinging |
| Lower trigram | ☰ Heaven (Qián): strong, creative |
| Unicode symbol | ䷍ |
On this page (9)
Hexagram 14 in plain words
Fire sits above heaven. The sun shines high in the sky, lighting up everything below. Clarity rests on strength: things are visible, resources are present, and there is power to act. In the hexagram, a single yielding line holds the place of the ruler, and all five strong lines gather around it. Tradition explains this as possession won not by force but by a gentle, open center that others are glad to support.
In your situation, much is going your way. You may have skills, connections, or opportunities that others lack. The traditional advice is twofold. First, stay humble: what you have can draw envy or make you careless, and pride is the quickest way to lose it. Second, use what you hold for good purposes. Separate what is helpful from what is harmful, support what is worthy, and check what is not. Abundance is less about owning more and more about stewardship. If you remain clear, generous, and grounded, this period builds lasting strength. If you hoard it or show it off, it quickly becomes a burden.
The judgment
Tâ Yû indicates that, (under the circumstances which it implies), there will be great progress and success.
Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).
The image
(The trigram for) heaven and (that of) fire above it form Tâ Yû. The superior man, in accordance with this, represses what is evil and gives distinction to what is good, in sympathy with the excellent Heaven-conferred (nature).
From Legge's Appendix II (the Great Symbolism), The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882 (public domain).
In plain words: Fire shines high in the sky and lights up everything below. With so much in your hands, stop what is harmful, encourage what is good, and stay in step with what is right.
The six lines
Read only the lines that changed in your reading. Lines are counted from the bottom.
Line 1 (bottom)
In the first NINE, undivided, there is no approach to what is injurious, and there is no error. Let there be a realisation of the difficulty (and danger of the position), and there will be no error (to the end).
You are still at the start and free of anything harmful. Stay aware of possible difficulties, and you remain without blame.
Line 2
In the second NINE, undivided, we have a large waggon with its load. In whatever direction advance is made, there will be no error.
A big wagon for loading. You have the capacity to carry a lot; it is a good time to take on a meaningful task.
Line 3
The third NINE, undivided, shows us a feudal prince presenting his offerings to the Son of Heaven. A small man would be unequal (to such a duty).
A noble offers what they have to the ruler. Use your resources for a higher purpose; a petty person could not do this.
Line 4
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject keeping his great resources under restraint. There will be no error.
You do not show off or compare yourself with neighbors. Keeping your abundance modest keeps you free of blame.
Line 5
The fifth SIX, divided, shows the sincerity of its subject reciprocated by that of all the others (represented in the hexagram). Let him display a proper majesty, and there will be good fortune.
Your sincerity is open and yet dignified. Being approachable while keeping your standards brings good fortune.
Line 6 (top)
The topmost NINE, undivided, shows its subject with help accorded to him from Heaven. There will be good fortune, advantage in every respect.
Blessed from above: good fortune, and nothing that does not go well. Staying humble in success keeps this help on your side.
Related hexagrams
| Opposite (every line changed) | 8. Holding Together |
|---|---|
| Inverse (turned upside down) | 13. Fellowship |
| Nuclear (lines 2 to 5) | 43. Breakthrough |
All three relations have traditional Chinese names (cuo gua for the opposite, zong gua for the inverse, hu gua for the nuclear). Many modern readers use the opposite as the shadow side of a situation, the inverse as the same moment seen from the other side, and the nuclear hexagram as its inner core.
If one line changes
With a single changing line, hexagram 14 turns into:
| Line 1 changes | Hexagram 50, The Cauldron |
|---|---|
| Line 2 changes | Hexagram 30, Radiance (Fire) |
| Line 3 changes | Hexagram 38, Opposition |
| Line 4 changes | Hexagram 26, Great Taming |
| Line 5 changes | Hexagram 1, Creative Force |
| Line 6 changes | Hexagram 34, Great Power |
Learn more: what the I Ching is, how to read changing lines, the eight trigrams, how to cast with coins or yarrow.
Hexagram 14 in love and relationships
In love, this hexagram shows a full and generous bond, with much to share. Give freely, appreciate what you already have together, and avoid taking the relationship for granted.
Hexagram 14 for work and decisions
At work, you may have strong skills or a good position at the moment. Use them for meaningful projects, share credit, and stay modest so your standing holds.
Questions
What does hexagram 14 mean?
You hold a lot in your hands right now: talent, support, opportunity, or influence. This hexagram speaks of great possession, a time of fullness and clarity. It asks you to handle that abundance with modesty and good judgment, use it for something worthwhile, and share it generously. Holding plenty well is a skill, and it is the real test here.
What does hexagram 14 mean in love?
In love, this hexagram shows a full and generous bond, with much to share. Give freely, appreciate what you already have together, and avoid taking the relationship for granted.
What does hexagram 14 mean for work?
At work, you may have strong skills or a good position at the moment. Use them for meaningful projects, share credit, and stay modest so your standing holds.
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