Hexagram 55: Abundance

Trigrams

Upper trigram: Zhen (Thunder) · Lower trigram: Li (Fire)

Judgment

Success. The king attains it; have no worry, act as the sun at midday (fully, openly).

Image

Thunder and lightning both arrive: abundance. The noble one decides litigation and carries out punishment justly.

Meaning of Hexagram Abundance

Abundance (豐) is hexagram #55 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams, formed by the upper trigram Zhen (Thunder) and lower trigram Li (Fire). It represents a peak of fullness and prosperity that requires clear vision to sustain. When this hexagram is cast, the querent should meditate on the judgment and image to grasp what the Yi is saying about the current situation.

The Six Lines Explained

Line 1 (Nine at the Beginning)

"He meets his matching partner; though they are equals, there is no blame; going forward brings honor."

Meeting a person compatible with oneself, though they are of equal standing, there is no fault; proceeding brings commendable achievement. This line represents a special partnership between two people of equal talent (rather than the usual yin-yang complementarity), succeeding through mutual deference.

Line 2 (Six in the Second Place)

"His screen is so thick that he sees the Big Dipper at midday; going forward brings suspicion and resentment, but sincerity and good faith bring good fortune."

Covered by a thick screen, one sees the Big Dipper stars at midday; advancing brings suspicion and dislike, but winning over one's superior through utmost sincerity brings good fortune. This line represents talent obscured by an unenlightened leader, requiring patience and sincerity to gradually gain recognition.

Line 3 (Nine in the Third Place)

"His covering is so dense that he sees tiny stars at midday; it is like breaking one's right arm, but there is no blame."

Covered by an even thicker screen, one sees even faint stars at midday; like having one's right arm broken — yet there is no fault. This line has talent but faces an even more disadvantaged situation than Line 2, with no support at all — yet the fault lies not with the person but with objective circumstances.

Line 4 (Nine in the Fourth Place)

"His screen is thick, seeing the Big Dipper at midday; but he meets his equal partner, good fortune."

Covered by a thick screen, seeing the Big Dipper at midday, but meeting a companion of equal standing brings good fortune. This line resembles Line 2 in facing unfavorable circumstances, but is fortunate to receive support from a like-minded ally.

Line 5 (Six in the Fifth Place)

"Bringing in brilliant talents brings blessings and praise, good fortune."

Inviting talented people to assist brings blessing and acclaim, good fortune. This line holds a high position but lacks real talent, needing to value and employ the capable people around to achieve success.

Line 6 (Six at the Top)

"His house is magnificent, but the chamber inside is small and shuttered; peering through the door, no one is seen; for three years nothing is heard, misfortune."

A grand house yet a cramped, shuttered chamber inside; looking through the door one sees no one; after three years there is still no awakening — misfortune. This final line warns of self-isolation and self-concealment despite holding a high position — the result being loneliness, with no one coming to visit.

The Transformed Hexagram

The hexagram has Li (Fire) as the inner trigram and Zhen (Thunder) as the outer trigram. This hexagram is notable because its name 'Feng' (abundance) is very auspicious, yet no line is entirely good — every line carries a cautionary warning.

Applications by Area of Life

Work & Career

This hexagram describes a period of great prosperity and success, but issues a strict warning: the greater the abundance, the greater the need for caution against hidden risks. One should cooperate with equals who share the same aspirations (as in Line 1) rather than relying solely on ordinary hierarchical relationships.

Love & Relationships

Warns of the risk of self-isolation and withdrawal within a relationship, even one that appears grand on the surface (as in Line 6, 'a magnificent house with a cramped room') — openness and sincerity matter more than outward appearance.

Health

During times of prosperity and success, one may become careless about health — remember the principle that 'extreme abundance leads to decline' in order to maintain balance and prevention.

Wealth

This is a favorable hexagram for finances, symbolizing great abundance. However, one must remain cautious, avoid complacency, and share and cooperate with like-minded people rather than becoming isolated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abundance

What does the hexagram Thunder over Fire (Abundance) mean?

Feng means great abundance, richness. This hexagram describes the peak stage of prosperity and success.

Why does the hexagram Feng (very auspicious, abundance) have no line that is entirely good?

Because this is a profound warning from the I Ching: at the peak of prosperity, the risk of decline is always latent — 'where there is fortune, the seed of misfortune already exists' — one must remain especially cautious and never complacent, even in the most favorable stage.

Why is this hexagram special for having 'two yang lines corresponding to each other' (contrary to the usual rule)?

Normally in the I Ching, a yin line and a yang line correspond well together (yin-yang complementing each other); but in the hexagram Feng, two yang lines (such as Lines 1 and 4) cooperating in agreement is considered favorable — teaching that in times of prosperity, unity and shared purpose among equally talented people matters more than mere complementary pairing.