26. Da Xu | Great Taming
- Line 1 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
大畜：利贞，不家食，吉。利涉大川。
Translation: 大畜 / Great Taming: it is beneficial to remain upright，不家食，auspicious。it is beneficial to cross the great river。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Da Xu (Great Taming), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “crossing the great river” suggests undertaking a difficult but meaningful passage; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
初九：有厉，利已。
Translation: First Nine: 有danger; be vigilant，利已。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “danger” calls for vigilance.
九二：舆说輹。
Translation: Second Nine: Draft rendering: 舆说輹。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
九三：良马逐，利艰贞。曰。闲舆卫，利有攸往。
Translation: Third Nine: 良马逐，利艰贞。曰。闲舆卫，it is beneficial to have somewhere to go。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.
六四：童牛之牿，元吉。
Translation: Fourth Six: 童牛之牿，greatly auspicious。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
六五：豮豕之牙，吉。
Translation: Fifth Six: 豮豕之牙，auspicious。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
上九：何天之衢，亨。
Translation: Top Nine: Draft rendering: 何天之衢，亨。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.