Hexagram 28: Great Exceeding

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 28 in plain words

The lake sits above wind (also wood). Water rises over the trees until it covers them: the lake has flooded the forest. Four strong lines are packed into the middle, with weak lines at both ends, like a beam heavy in the center and weak at the ends, ready to bend. Tradition reads this as the preponderance of the great: a time when strength and pressure exceed the frame that holds them.

In your situation, there is too much: too much responsibility, tension, or load on one point. This is not sustainable, and something has to change. The traditional advice is to have a clear direction and to move, while acting with the gentle, penetrating quality of wind rather than brute force. Extraordinary times allow extraordinary measures, but they still need care. Prepare thoroughly, support what is weak, and do not rely only on your own strength. The lines show both sides: careful preparation succeeds, while a beam that ignores its weakness breaks. Stand firm in what you value, even if you must stand alone for a while, and find the change that relieves the load.

The judgment

Tâ Kwo suggests to us a beam that is weak. There will be advantage in moving (under its conditions) in any direction whatever; there will be success.

Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).

The image

(The trigram representing) trees hidden beneath that for the waters of a marsh forms Tâ Kwo. The superior man, in accordance with this, stands up alone and has no fear, and keeps retired from the world without regret.

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

In plain words: The lake has risen above the trees, an extraordinary weight. You can stand alone without fear when you must, and step back from the crowd without regret.

The six lines

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

Line 1 (bottom)

The first SIX, divided, shows one placing mats of the white mâo grass under things set on the ground. There will be no error.

You spread white rushes underneath before setting things down. Extra caution at the start is wise; no blame.

Line 2

The second NINE, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing shoots, or an old husband in possession of his young wife. There will be advantage in every way.

A dry poplar sprouts at the root; an older person takes a young partner. New life comes where it seemed unlikely, and everything goes well.

Line 3

The third NINE, undivided, shows a beam that is weak. There will be evil.

The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Pushing ahead alone, without support, leads to misfortune: get help and ease the load.

Line 4

The fourth NINE, undivided, shows a beam curving upwards. There will be good fortune. If (the subject of it) looks for other (help but that of line one), there will be cause for regret.

The ridgepole is braced and holds. Good fortune, as long as you do not use your strength for selfish aims.

Line 5

The fifth NINE, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing flowers, or an old wife in possession of her young husband. There will be occasion neither for blame nor for praise.

A dry poplar puts out flowers, like a late match that cannot bear fruit. Things bloom briefly but bear no lasting fruit; no blame and no praise.

Line 6 (top)

The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject with extraordinary (boldness) wading through a stream, till the water hides the crown of his head. There will be evil, but no ground for blame.

You wade into deep water until it closes over your head. The risk is great and the outcome hard, but acting from principle carries no blame.

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 28 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 28 in love and relationships

In love, the relationship may be carrying too much strain from outside pressures or old tension. Do not let it reach a breaking point; share the load, talk honestly, and consider a real change.

Hexagram 28 for work and decisions

At work, you may be overloaded or a project may be stretched past its limits. Ask for help, reduce the pressure where you can, and make a decisive change rather than waiting for something to break.

Questions