Da You — Great Holdings
Also known as: Possession in Great Measure
The Judgement
大有卦：元亨。
Sublime success that goes through.
AI commentaryIn Da You a single yin line holds the place of honour while five yang lines gather around it, an image of great gain, abundance and flourishing. Fire burns high above Heaven and lights every quarter; the yielding line sits in the ruling seat and those above and below respond to it, so the judgement reads sublime success that goes through. In divination it points to plenty, wide support and smooth affairs. Yet fullness most fears pride and excess: only one who governs these holdings with gentle, modest, centred virtue, restrains wrongdoing, promotes good and moves in step with Heaven's gracious mandate can keep them.
AI plain readingDa You, Great Holdings, pictures a modest, gentle person winning the support of everyone around them. Someone who holds a high position with a yielding, balanced manner finds that people above and below rally to them, and the result is a great harvest, ample wealth and affairs that run smoothly. If you draw this hexagram, reputation, money and opportunity are most likely gathering towards you. But the brighter the spotlight, the more you need to guard against pride and complacency. Stay humble in how you carry yourself, curb what is wrong and encourage what is good, and move with events rather than forcing them. That is how you hold on to great abundance instead of letting it peak and fade.
The Great Image
火在天上，大有；君子以遏恶扬善，顺天休命。
Fire sits high above Heaven: this is Great Holdings. The noble person, accordingly, holds back wrongdoing and brings goodness to light, moving in step with Heaven's gracious mandate.
The Six Lines
1st Line (nine)
初九：无交害，匪咎，艰则无咎。
Untouched as yet by anything harmful; this is not a fault. Bear hardship in mind and there is no blame.
AI commentaryAt the outset of abundance, the line has neither met fullness nor been drawn into harm, so it carries no fault. Only constant awareness of hardship keeps it blameless for long: when wealth begins, think of difficulty while secure, and guard the end from the very start.
AI plain readingYou are at the start of a lucky run and have not yet been touched by the trouble that too much success brings, so nothing is wrong. The key word is hardship: the smoother things go, the more you should anticipate difficulties and stay alert. Early success is no time for getting carried away.
- Timing
- Your fortunes are starting to rise steadily, but the base is not yet firm; gather strength quietly and avoid fanfare.
- Money
- Fresh income has begun to appear. Bank it, let savings grow step by step, and resist any large, speculative bet.
- Career
- With a good start behind you, do solid work and map out the risks in advance before reaching for more.
- Relationships
- Early in a relationship, sincerity and patience serve you best; getting carried away by the first glow could spoil it.
- Home & Household
- Peace reigns at home. Keep the budget modest and prepare for lean times now, since household blessings grow from prudence.
- Health
- The tradition reads your condition as calm. Prevent trouble with regular hours, and never take good health as licence to overindulge.
- Marriage
- Marriage plans can be discussed, provided you move at a measured pace, deal honestly and avoid rushing the engagement.
- Exams & Study
- Thorough revision is what counts here. Stay humble and even-tempered before the exam, and steady preparation should carry you through.
- Travel
- The journey looks safe. Even so, plan the route before setting out, pack for contingencies and stay alert on the road.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Aim for settlement rather than confrontation. Defuse the conflict early, keep your own conduct correct, and the reading sees harm avoided.
- Finding a Person
- Whoever you are looking for is probably safe and nearby. Wait calmly for news rather than searching in a panic.
- The Decision Point
- Starting out well, think of hardship while all is secure: anticipate the difficulties, advance one firm step at a time, and remain blameless.
2nd Line (nine)
九二：大车以载，有攸往，无咎。
A large cart bears the load; setting out towards a goal brings no blame.
AI commentaryLike a large cart carrying a heavy load far, this line is equal to a weighty task. With firm, centred virtue it bears the time's abundance and moves forward, hence no blame. Solid character and ability can shoulder great undertakings.
AI plain readingYou are like a large, heavily laden cart: your abilities are solid and you can carry real responsibility. Acting boldly now and moving towards your goals will not lead you wrong. What makes this possible is that you genuinely have the character and skill to bear the abundance coming your way.
- Timing
- Momentum is climbing and your capacity is high. This is the moment to take on heavy responsibilities and act freely.
- Money
- Ample resources let you handle larger commitments; the reading favours expanding the business or investing steadily rather than holding back.
- Career
- Volunteer for the big assignment. Your character and skill can carry it, and driving key projects forward brings no blame.
- Relationships
- This bond has deep roots and can be trusted for life; show responsibility and it grows firmer still.
- Home & Household
- With a well-provided household able to support everyone, step up to family duties and watch the home prosper.
- Health
- The tradition sees a constitution sturdy enough for hard work, but even a strong cart has limits; avoid draining your reserves.
- Marriage
- Go ahead with the union; it offers real support. When both of you shoulder shared responsibilities, harmony lasts.
- Exams & Study
- A demanding exam is well within your strength. Tackle the hardest material head-on and let your full ability show.
- Travel
- Long trips and weighty missions are favoured. Commit to going; the road should be smooth and the business done.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Argue firmly, since your case is well grounded, but let composure and gravity do the persuading rather than force.
- Finding a Person
- The search can succeed, and capable helpers are at hand. Entrust it to someone competent to look on your behalf.
- The Decision Point
- You have the strength for this load. Take it on fully and act without hesitation; shrinking back gains you nothing now.
3rd Line (nine)
九三：公用亨于天子，小人弗克。
The feudal lord presents his wealth as tribute to the Son of Heaven, the king; the petty person cannot rise to this.
AI commentaryA lord offers what he owns to the Son of Heaven (天子), fulfilling a loyal servant's duty. Only the noble person, fair and free of self-interest, can do this; the petty person, bent on private gain, cannot. Wealth should serve the common good.
AI plain readingYou are like a lord who offers everything he has to the king, loyal to those above him. Only someone with a sense of public duty can do that; a person fixated on private gain cannot carry this role. With this line, treat all you own as held in trust for the common good.
- Timing
- Things flow well, but the opening stays open only while you use it for shared ends; self-serving moves will block it.
- Money
- Wealth lasts when it is earned by fair means and spent with principle, including giving part of it to community causes.
- Career
- Serve the organisation loyally and put its business first. Credit your superiors rather than hoarding praise, and greater trust follows.
- Relationships
- Love thrives on generous, unselfish giving and honest dealing. Keeping score of who gave what will wound it.
- Home & Household
- Put fairness above profit at home. When relatives treat one another by principle rather than self-interest, the household rises.
- Health
- No major concern is indicated, though heavy duties for others call for pacing; proving your toughness could cost you physically.
- Marriage
- A marriage built on duty and shared purpose works. Carry burdens together, because selfishness makes harmony hard to reach.
- Exams & Study
- Study for a worthy purpose, not just personal advantage. A rightly directed mind attracts help and steadies your exam performance.
- Travel
- Trips now are likely on official or work business. Go with your duties clearly in mind and the journey runs smoothly.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Speak plainly and impartially, without favouritism. The tradition holds that a case resting on sound principle is upheld in the end.
- Finding a Person
- Use public channels and proper procedures in the search. Enlisting reliable, honest people to help makes finding them achievable.
- The Decision Point
- Act as a steward of the common good: think on a larger scale, stay loyal to your charge, seek no private gain, and abundance stays.
4th Line (nine)
九四：匪其彭，无咎。
He does not swell with his own fullness; no blame.
AI commentaryPlaced next to the ruler, the line does not swell into overflowing grandeur; modest and restrained, it does not press upon the one above, so there is no blame. Whoever stays humble amid greatness and never encroaches on superiors remains safe.
AI plain readingYou are close to the centre of power, and that is exactly when you must not act important. Do not inflate yourself or crowd the person above you; know how to hold back and stay modest, and you will make no mistakes. Restraint in a high position is the key to keeping yourself safe.
- Timing
- Fortune is strong, but your position borders on risk. Lower your profile and hide your edge to stay safe and blameless.
- Money
- Keep plentiful wealth out of sight. Skip luxury displays, avoid overextending, and quietly conserve what you hold.
- Career
- In a senior role, avoid outshining the boss or overstepping your remit. Those who keep achievements understated keep their posts.
- Relationships
- Give ground and show consideration instead of pressing your partner. One step back makes the bond more secure.
- Home & Household
- Though the family is thriving, stay gentle and unassuming. Avoid flaunting status or competing with relatives; quiet housekeeping brings peace.
- Health
- The tradition reads your condition as fair, but abundance easily tips into excess; rein in appetites and avoid overworking your body.
- Marriage
- Mutual modesty keeps a partnership secure long-term, so stop competing over who ranks higher and yield to each other.
- Exams & Study
- Results look decent. Stay humble and study deeply, hiding your talent rather than showing off, and you keep steady footing.
- Travel
- Travel discreetly and carefully. Showy itineraries attract trouble, while a low-key trip passes safely from start to finish.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Concede where you can and look for a settlement. Declining to fight for victory keeps you clear of blame.
- Finding a Person
- A discreet, private search works better than a public appeal; quiet, patient enquiries are more likely to locate them.
- The Decision Point
- The higher you rise, the less you should act big: blunt your edge, stay modest, never crowd those above you, and remain blameless.
5th Line (six)
六五：厥孚交如，威如；吉。
Sincerity passes freely between him and others, and he bears himself with dignity. Auspicious.
AI commentaryThis is the ruling line of Great Holdings. It treats those below with sincerity, so high and low meet in good faith, yet never loses its dignity; hence auspicious. Leadership rests on trust, generosity with authority, and firmness within gentleness.
AI plain readingYou are the heart of this hexagram. Treat people sincerely so that trust flows both up and down, while keeping your dignity and authority: generous yet respected. Gentleness backed by firmness, kindness balanced with authority, is what truly wins people's hearts. The reading for this line is auspicious.
- Timing
- A highly auspicious phase. Trust wins people over and dignity anchors your standing, so support converges and affairs run smoothly.
- Money
- Money flows freely with many willing backers. Build on honest dealing and generous terms, and substantial gains are indicated.
- Career
- From a leadership seat, treat your team sincerely while keeping authority. Winning their loyalty takes the enterprise to its peak.
- Relationships
- Sincerity is the foundation and trust is the practice; add mutual respect and the relationship becomes warm and stable.
- Home & Household
- The household flourishes. Whoever leads it combines honesty with authority and kindness with firm rules, and the family lives happily.
- Health
- The tradition sees robust health and lively spirits. A generous outlook and balanced work and rest support a long life.
- Marriage
- Your marriage looks happy. Honest, respectful partners who settle major decisions jointly and stay gentle yet principled grow old together.
- Exams & Study
- Exam prospects are highly auspicious. Sincere, genuine learning plus a calm, measured manner can place you among the top scorers.
- Travel
- Journeys are strongly favoured and helpers appear en route. Treat others honestly, act with measure, and everything goes smoothly.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- The reading favours you. Persuade through good faith and principled authority; a sound case argued calmly tends to prevail.
- Finding a Person
- People gladly help, so the search can succeed; ask sincerely and entrust it to the right person for quick results.
- The Decision Point
- Draw people together through sincerity and stand firm through dignity: be genuine yet authoritative, gentle yet firm, and the result is highly auspicious.
6th Line (nine)
上九：自天佑之，吉无不利。
Heaven itself lends its aid. Auspicious; nothing is unfavourable.
AI commentaryAt the peak of abundance the line is neither proud nor overfull; it keeps faith, follows the natural order and honours the worthy, so Heaven helps it: auspicious, favourable in all things, the hexagram's best line. Wealth held humbly earns Heaven's aid.
AI plain readingYou have reached the summit of abundance without arrogance: you keep your word, follow what is right and respect worthy people. So even Heaven comes to your aid, and everything turns out well. This is the hexagram's finest line: staying modest and upright at the height of wealth naturally keeps your good fortune lasting.
- Timing
- Your fortunes reach their summit without declining. Stay modest and trustworthy, in step with Heaven and people, and blessings keep flowing.
- Money
- Wealth peaks and can be kept. Manage it honestly, help others and back capable people, and the reading sees lasting riches.
- Career
- At the top of your field, stay humble, hire talent and heed good advice; timing and people align for lasting achievement.
- Relationships
- Keep faith and treat each other humbly, and love becomes complete; this looks like a match made in Heaven.
- Home & Household
- A flourishing, harmonious home: as the old saying goes, a family that stores up kindness passes blessings down to its descendants.
- Health
- The tradition reads this as sound health and long life, especially for someone easygoing who lives in tune with natural rhythms.
- Marriage
- Deep mutual devotion, kept with modesty and trust, marks a destined pairing; the marriage is as happy as can be.
- Exams & Study
- Exam luck is exceptional, with seemingly divine help; real ability earns due recognition and a place near the top.
- Travel
- Wherever you head, the route runs smoothly, as though Heaven had cleared the way; any trip now is highly auspicious.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- As favourable as a reading gets: support gathers around you, and the tradition holds that honest, principled parties are finally vindicated.
- Finding a Person
- Expect a swift find, with Heaven's own help. News tends to arrive unprompted, and what was lost comes back.
- The Decision Point
- Stay humble, keep your word and honour the worthy even at the peak; without pride or excess, Heaven helps and nothing goes against you.