Hexagram 26: Great Taming

Written by Orbitarot · Sources: James Legge, The Yi King (The I Ching), 1882 (judgment and lines); plain readings our own · Updated October 7, 2026

Hexagram 26 in plain words

The mountain sits above heaven. Heaven is contained within the mountain, like a vast treasure held in a small place. The mountain above holds back the strong creative force below, not to suppress it but to store and focus it. Tradition reads this hexagram as the taming power of the great: strength held firmly, kept fresh, and renewed every day. It also says the wise person studies the words and deeds of the past to build character.

In your situation, the energy is real, but this is a time to collect it rather than spend it. Keep yourself steady, keep learning, and do not waste force on small fights. Restraint here is not weakness; it is what lets power mature. The lines show the process: first holding back when danger is near, then removing the wheels from the cart so you cannot rush, then training daily, and finally restraining wild forces gently at their source. In the end, the way opens wide. It also favors working in the wider world rather than staying at home, once you are ready. Patience and discipline now prepare a great achievement later.

The judgment

Under the conditions of Tâ Khû it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. (If its subject do not seek to) enjoy his revenues in his own family (without taking service at court), there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous for him to cross the great stream.

Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).

The image

(The trigram representing) a mountain, and in the midst of it that (representing) heaven, form Tâ Khû. The superior man, in accordance with this, stores largely in his memory the words and deeds of former men, to subserve the accumulation of his virtue.

From Legge's Appendix II (the Great Symbolism), The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882 (public domain).

In plain words: Heaven held inside a mountain: great energy stored and contained. Fill your mind with the words and examples of people who came before you, and let that store build your character.

The six lines

Read only the lines that changed in your reading. Lines are counted from the bottom.

Line 1 (bottom)

The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject in a position of peril. It will be advantageous for him to stop his advance.

Danger is near. It is wise to stop and hold back rather than force your way forward.

Line 2

The second NINE, undivided, shows a carriage with the strap under it removed.

The axle is removed from the wagon. You are held back for now; accept it, as waiting keeps you out of trouble.

Line 3

The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject urging his way with good horses. It will be advantageous for him to realise the difficulty (of his course), and to be firm and correct, exercising himself daily in his charioteering and methods of defence; then there will be advantage in whatever direction he may advance.

A good horse follows the others. Train daily, stay aware of risks, and have a clear direction; then it is favorable to move.

Line 4

The fourth six, divided, shows the young bull, (and yet) having the piece of wood over his horns. There will be great good fortune.

A board fixed on the horns of a young bull. Restraining a problem early, before it has grown, brings great good fortune.

Line 5

The fifth six, divided, shows the teeth of a castrated hog. There will be good fortune.

The tusk of a tamed boar. Deal with a wild force indirectly, by changing its nature rather than fighting it head on; good fortune.

Line 6 (top)

The sixth NINE, undivided, shows its subject (as) in command of the firmament of heaven. There will be progress.

You reach the open road of heaven. The restraint is over, the way is clear, and you can move forward with success.

Related hexagrams

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 26 turns into:

Learn more: what the I Ching is, how to read changing lines, the eight trigrams, how to cast with coins or yarrow.

Hexagram 26 in love and relationships

In love, this hexagram asks for patience and self-control. Build trust over time, hold strong feelings with care, and let the bond grow deep before it moves fast.

Hexagram 26 for work and decisions

For work or study, this is a strong time to learn, train, and prepare thoroughly. Focus your energy, avoid distractions, and you will be ready for a bigger task.

Questions