East Almanac
English

55. Abundance (Fullness) (丰)

Line 2

If this line changes it transforms into 34. The Power of the Great (大壮)

Modern reading

Hexagram 55, Line 2 depicts internal clarity obscured by surrounding opacity, where premature action invites suspicion. Classical tradition counsels preserving quiet integrity and inner conviction until misunderstandings dissolve naturally.

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I Ching / BaZi reading request (from eastalmanac.com).
Page: Hexagram 55 丰 — Line 2.
Interpret through classical principles in two layers: 1) Structural Evidence: identify key line dynamics, changing line pivot, or element balance. 2) Actionable Verdict: direct answer to the inquiry in plain language, followed by 2–3 concrete next steps (action-verb first) and mindful cautions. Grounded wisdom for self-reflection. Source page:
https://eastalmanac.com/yijing/55/2

I Ching casting

Positioned centrally within the radiant lower trigram of Fire, Line 2 possesses acute clarity but confronts an obscure environment symbolized by seeing stars at midday.

Classical commentaries note that advancing aggressively under such cloud cover invites distrust and slander, while holding steadfast inner sincerity ultimately produces auspicious alignment.

When the atmosphere is murky and leaders above are unresponsive, self-restraint combined with quiet integrity carries you through.

Career

In organizational settings, your insight may run ahead of current leadership or be eclipsed by institutional confusion and suspicion. Traditional readings warn against forcing forward campaigns or demanding immediate validation, as hasty appeals only trigger defensiveness.

Focus on delivering solid, irreproachable work while waiting patiently for the fog of politics to clear.

Love & relationships

Interpersonal relationships face a period of misunderstanding, rumors, or ungrounded suspicions that cannot be resolved through argument alone. The image of inner faith suggests that persistent warmth and transparent actions speak far louder than verbal defensiveness.

Let steady dependability and quiet patience dispel doubts rather than pressing for immediate answers.

Wealth

Financial analysis warns that market visibility is currently impaired by conflicting signals and opaque data. Classical interpretation advises guarding resources defensively and refraining from speculative commitments while uncertainty looms.

Protect your capital and wait until market clarity returns before making significant moves.

References

Original text

Line statement

2. The second line, 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.

Small Image

‘Let him cherish his feeling of sincere devotion, that it shall appear being put forth:’—it is by sincerity that the mind is affected.

Classical commentary

Zhouyi BenyiLine statement

'Bu' (curtain-screen) is pronounced like bù. Six in the Second Place dwells in the time of Abundance as the ruler of Li (brightness), being exceedingly bright; but above it corresponds to the yielding darkness of Six in the Fifth Place.

Hence it bears the image of 'curtaining the abundance, seeing the Dipper at midday.' A 'bu' is a screen or canopy; enlarging its screen causes dusk at midday. If one goes to follow him, a dark and unenlightened ruler will surely view one with suspicion.

Only by accumulating sincerity to resonate with him will there be good fortune. The diviner is cautioned that he should be like this. It is an image of being hollow within and possessing sincere trust. 'Mei' (faint star) is identical to mèi, with the fanqie pronunciation mo-pei.

'Zhe' (break) has the fanqie pronunciation shi-lie. 'Pei' is also written as 'pèi,' meaning a banner or canopy screen; its obstruction is even worse than a 'bu.' 'Mei' is a tiny star.

Line Three is at the extreme of brightness and responds to Six at the Top; though unusable, it is without fault. Hence its image and divination are like this.

Yichuan YizhuanLine statement

Brightness and movement supporting each other can achieve Abundance. Line Two is the ruler of brightness and attains central rectitude; she may be called truly bright. But Line Five in the place of proper correspondence is Yin-yielding and not upright, unable to move.

Although both Two and Five are Yin lines, during a time when brightness and movement rely on each other and dwelling in positions of mutual correspondence, Line Five's talent is insufficient.

Since the correlate's talent is insufficient to provide support, solitary brightness cannot achieve abundance. Unable to achieve abundance, its illuminating merit is lost; hence it becomes 'curtaining its abundance, seeing the Dipper at midday.'

Line Two possesses the talent of supreme brightness, but because its correlate is inadequate to associate with, it cannot achieve abundance and loses its illuminating merit. Without illuminating merit, darkness ensues; hence it says 'seeing the Dipper.'

The Dipper is what is seen in the dark. 'Bu' carries the meaning of surrounding coverage, an obstruction used to obscure brightness. The Dipper belongs to Yin and governs celestial movements.

Line Five, with Yin-yielding, occupies the ruler's throne; at the blazing brightness of midday, the Dipper is seen, just as in a time of great abundance, one encounters a weak and yielding ruler.

That the Dipper is seen in the dark means that seeing the Dipper indicates brightness is lost and darkness prevails. Although Line Two has the talent of supreme brightness and central rectitude, what she encounters is a yielding, dark, and incorrect ruler.

Line Five cannot seek her below; if Line Two goes to seek him, she will instead incur suspicion, jealousy, and resentment—such is a dark ruler. If so, what can be done?

When a noble person serves a superior and cannot win his heart, he simply exhausts his utmost sincerity to stir and awaken his mind and will. If sincere faith can move him, even the foolish can be enlightened, the weak can be aided, and the incorrect can be rectified.

When ancients served mediocre or ordinary rulers and were able to carry out their Dao, it was because their own sincerity reached above and the ruler trusted them deeply, as with Guan Zhong aiding Duke Huan or Kongming assisting the Later Lord.

If one can awaken his mind through sincerity and trust, one's Dao can be practiced, which brings good fortune.

Yichuan YizhuanSmall Image

'If there is sincere trust, stirring it up' means using one's own sincere trust to resonate with and awaken the heart and will of the superior. If one can awaken it, the good fortune can be known; even if he is weak and dark, there is a way to awaken him.

Zhouyi ZhuLine statement

A 'bu' is a screening cover, an object that blocks light.

Dwelling in the time of brightness and movement, it cannot make itself abundant with glorious virtue; dwelling inside and occupying a Yin position with Yin, that which it makes abundant lies in screens, darkened with nothing to see; hence it says, 'Curtains its abundance, seeing the Dipper at midday.'

Midday is the culmination of brightness; the Dipper appearing is the extreme of darkness. Dwelling in blazing brightness yet curtaining its abundance, it says 'seeing the Dipper at midday.' Unable to bring itself forward, going forward incurs suspicion and afflictions.

Yet treading the center in Correct Position, dwelling in darkness without being depraved, it possesses sincere trust. 'Ruo' is a modal particle. Having sincere trust can open up its aspiration without being trapped in darkness; hence it attains good fortune.

Zhouyi ZhengyiLine statement

From 'Six in the Second Place: Curtains its abundance' to 'If there is sincere trust, stirring it up, good fortune.'

Rectified Meaning: 'Curtains its abundance'—Line Two occupies a Yin position with Yin, and Yin also dwells inside, dark with nothing to behold; that which it makes abundant lies in screens and coverings; hence it says, 'Curtains its abundance.'

A 'bu' is a screening cover, an object that blocks light. 'Seeing the Dipper at midday'—Line Two dwells in the center of the Li trigram, like the sun directly at midday, at the peak of brightness.

Dwelling in the blazing brightness of midday yet the Dipper star is clearly seen: this is Line Two's utmost darkness causing the Dipper star to be visible.

Dwelling in an age of glorious greatness yet conducting oneself in extreme darkness is like seeing the Dipper at midday; hence it says, 'Seeing the Dipper at midday.'

Both Two and Five are Yin; Line Two already has the darkness of seeing the Dipper, unable to manifest herself to seek Line Five on her own; going forward, she will incur the affliction of being suspected; hence it says, 'Going brings suspicion and afflictions.'

Yet dwelling in the center and treading rectitude, abiding in darkness without being depraved, she possesses sincere trust.

Having sincere trust to open up her aspiration, she is not trapped by darkness, and thus achieves good fortune; hence it says, 'If there is sincere trust, stirring it up, good fortune.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiSmall Image

Rectified Meaning: 'Trust to open up the aspiration' means that although dwelling in dim darkness, she does not commit depravity; possessing sincere trust to open up her aspiration for great abundance, she attains good fortune.

Sources