Hexagram 55: Abundance
Outer trigram (upper)
Chấn
Thunder · Wood
Inner trigram (lower)
Ly
Fire · Fire
Judgment
豐：亨，王假之，勿憂，宜日中.
Translation
Abundance: success. The king arrives at this state — do not worry; it is fitting, like the sun at high noon.
Commentary
Zhen (thunder) sits above, Li (fire) below. Thunder and lightning appear together — grand and brilliant. This abundance and brilliance mark a peak, like the sun at its zenith at noon. Only by holding on to this abundance responsibly does the king achieve true success. What has reached its height will decline, so this moment must be treasured and used well.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yang)
初九：遇其配主，雖旬无咎，往有尚.
Translation
He meets a well-matched partner; even after ten days, there is no fault — to advance earns respect.
Commentary
This yang line meets line 4, also yang — an evenly matched pairing united by common purpose. Even over a long stretch of time there is no fault, and moving forward wins recognition.
Line 2 (yin)
六二：豐其蔀，日中見斗，往得疑疾，有孚發若，吉.
Translation
Abundance is obscured — at midday, the Dipper stars can be seen. To press forward invites suspicion and trouble, but sincerity, once shown, brings good fortune.
Commentary
This yin line is overshadowed by line 5, also yin, so the two do not properly correspond — talent and virtue are hidden as if stars were visible in broad daylight. To push ahead recklessly invites suspicion. But sincere, genuine intent will eventually shine through, bringing good fortune.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：豐其沛，日中見沬，折其右肱，无咎.
Translation
Abundance is veiled by cloud — at midday, faint stars can be seen. The right arm is broken, yet there is no fault.
Commentary
This yang line is correctly placed but even more heavily obscured — faint stars visible even at noon — and it loses its right-hand support, like a broken arm. Even so, because it holds to what is right, there is no fault.
Line 4 (yang)
九四：豐其蔀，日中見斗，遇其夷主，吉.
Translation
Abundance is obscured — at midday, the Dipper stars can be seen. He meets a partner of equal standing — good fortune.
Commentary
This yang line is likewise obscured, but it meets line 1, also yang — an equal partner sharing the same purpose. Joining forces, the two find their way out of the shadows together, a favorable sign.
Line 5 (yin)
六五：來章，有慶譽，吉.
Translation
Brilliance arrives — cause for celebration and good renown, fortunate.
Commentary
This yin line occupies the position of honor. By humbly welcoming talented people, brilliance comes to it, and it earns praise and congratulations from all — a favorable outcome.
Line 6 (yin)
上六：豐其屋，蔀其家，闚其戶，闃其无人，三歲不覿，凶.
Translation
The house grows grand, overshadowing the family within. Peering through the door, all is empty and silent — no one is seen for three years. Misfortune.
Commentary
This yin line stands at the extreme of abundance — grown so grand and self-important that it isolates itself, cut off from everyone, the house standing empty. Three years of solitude follow. Misfortune.