Hexagram 55: Abundance
豐 Fēng · Thunder over Fire
You are at a high point: a time of fullness, clarity and energy, like the sun at noon. This hexagram says enjoy it and act boldly, but remember that noon does not last. Use the abundance to do what needs doing, share it, and make clear decisions while you can see well. Do not worry about the decline that follows; do good work now.
| Number (King Wen order) | 55 |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 豐 (Fēng) |
| Upper trigram | ☳ Thunder (Zhèn): arousing, moving |
| Lower trigram | ☲ Fire (Lí): clear, bright, clinging |
| Unicode symbol | ䷶ |
On this page (9)
Hexagram 55 in plain words
Thunder rolls above fire. Movement joins clarity, and the result is a peak of power and brightness, like a summer storm lighting the sky. Tradition says the king attains abundance and should not be sad, and that it is fitting to be like the sun at midday.
The lesson is how to live at the peak. Abundance does not last; the sun begins to decline the moment it reaches its height. The wise response is not anxiety but action: use your clarity and strength to settle matters, make decisions and set things right while conditions are good. The commentary pictures the wise person settling disputes while the light is full, which means using clear judgment while you can see well. Several lines speak of eclipses, darkness at midday, when something blocks the light. In those moments, sincerity and finding the right allies matter most. Make the most of a full season, stay humble, and do not cut yourself off from others; isolation inside abundance is the warning of the last line.
The judgment
Făng intimates progress and development. When a king has reached the point (which the name denotes) there is no occasion to be anxious (through fear of a change). Let him be as the sun at noon.
Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).
The image
(The trigrams representing) thunder and lightning combine to form Făng. The superior man, in accordance with this, decides cases of litigation, and apportions punishments with exactness.
From Legge's Appendix II (the Great Symbolism), The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882 (public domain).
In plain words: Thunder and lightning arrive together at the peak of abundance. Use this moment of clarity to settle open questions fairly and to weigh every matter with precision.
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 meeting with his mate. Though they are both of the same character, there will be no error. Advance will call forth approval.
You meet a partner who matches you. Spending time together, even a full cycle of ten days, brings no blame; going forward earns recognition.
Line 2
The second SIX, divided, shows its subject surrounded by screens so large and thick that at midday he can see from them the constellation of the Bushel. If he go (and try to enlighten his ruler who is thus emblemed), he will make himself to be viewed with suspicion and dislike. Let him cherish his feeling of sincere devotion that he may thereby move (his ruler's mind), and there will be good fortune.
The curtain is so thick that the stars show at noon; a shadow blocks your light. Pushing ahead brings suspicion; sincerity and patience win trust.
Line 3
The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject with an (additional) screen of a large and thick banner, through which at midday he can see (the small) Mei star. (In the darkness) he breaks his right arm; but there will be no error.
Thick undergrowth darkens the day so the smallest stars appear, and your right arm is out of action. Your main tool is unavailable for now; this is not your fault.
Line 4
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject in a tent so large and thick that at midday he can see from it the constellation of the Bushel. But he meets with the subject of the (first) line, undivided like himself. There will be good fortune.
The curtain is thick and the stars show at noon, but you meet a ruler of like mind. Finding the right ally brings good fortune.
Line 5
The fifth SIX, divided, shows its subject bringing around him the men of brilliant ability. There will be occasion for congratulation and praise. There will be good fortune.
Talented people come forward, bringing blessing and praise. Welcome good help; good fortune.
Line 6 (top)
The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject with his house made large, but only serving as a screen to his household. When he looks at his door, it is still, and there is nobody about it. For three years no one is to be seen. There will be evil.
Your house is full but closed off, and you peer through the gate to find no one there. Cutting yourself off inside your success leads to emptiness.
Related hexagrams
| Opposite (every line changed) | 59. Dispersion |
|---|---|
| Inverse (turned upside down) | 56. The Wanderer |
| Nuclear (lines 2 to 5) | 28. Great Exceeding |
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 55 turns into:
| Line 1 changes | Hexagram 62, Small Exceeding |
|---|---|
| Line 2 changes | Hexagram 34, Great Power |
| Line 3 changes | Hexagram 51, Thunder (Shock) |
| Line 4 changes | Hexagram 36, Darkening of the Light |
| Line 5 changes | Hexagram 49, Revolution |
| Line 6 changes | Hexagram 30, Radiance (Fire) |
Learn more: what the I Ching is, how to read changing lines, the eight trigrams, how to cast with coins or yarrow.
Hexagram 55 in love and relationships
In love, this can be a time of intensity, closeness and fullness. Enjoy it, make the most of it together, and do not close yourselves off from friends and family.
Hexagram 55 for work and decisions
At work, you are at a high point of energy and visibility. Make important decisions and finish key tasks now, while you have clarity and support.
Questions
What does hexagram 55 mean?
You are at a high point: a time of fullness, clarity and energy, like the sun at noon. This hexagram says enjoy it and act boldly, but remember that noon does not last. Use the abundance to do what needs doing, share it, and make clear decisions while you can see well. Do not worry about the decline that follows; do good work now.
What does hexagram 55 mean in love?
In love, this can be a time of intensity, closeness and fullness. Enjoy it, make the most of it together, and do not close yourselves off from friends and family.
What does hexagram 55 mean for work?
At work, you are at a high point of energy and visibility. Make important decisions and finish key tasks now, while you have clarity and support.
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