需 → 大過
Hexagram 5: Waiting → Hexagram 28: Great Exceeding
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 1, 4).
Line 1
初九 需于郊。利用恆。无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
Line 4
六四 需于血。出自穴。
Six in the fourth place means: Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
宜昌娶婦，東家歌舞。宴樂有序，長樂嘉喜。
It is fitting to marry and take a bride in prosperous times; the eastern household sings and dances. Banquets and joy are in proper order; long happiness and fine delight.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Clouds above heaven part to reveal the lake submerging the trees — Great Exceeding's image of extraordinary weight and moment. Yet the verse sings of joy: 'It is fitting and auspicious to take a bride; the eastern house dances and sings. Feasting proceeds in proper order; lasting joy and excellent delight.' Marriage, celebration, and ritual harmony fill the scene. The name 'Yichang' may simply mean 'fitting prosperity.' Great Exceeding often marks a threshold — events of unusual magnitude, whether crisis or triumph. Here the excess is joyous: a wedding so abundant it strains the ordinary frame. From Waiting to Great Exceeding, patient nourishment culminates in a moment that exceeds the everyday — the extraordinary feast that crowns long anticipation.
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