乾为天 - Qian-is-Sky Strengthen
外卦是乾，先天五行中属阳金。内卦是乾，后天五行中属阴金。
内卦外卦都是“乾”，这个卦名就是“乾”。
和“中孚”卦理一体两面。
乾是日出光气舒展的形态，也有“健”的意思。正是太阳的样子。
The external trigram is Qian, belonging to Yang metal in the Primordial Trigrams. The internal trigram is Qian, belonging to Yin metal in the Derived Trigrams.
Both the internal and external trigrams are "Qian", and this trigram is named "Qian".
It integrates with the principle of the "Zhong Fu" trigram on both sides.
Qian represents the form of radiant light and air stretching at sunrise, also meaning "strength". It is just like the appearance of the sun.
元、亨、利、贞
Self-sufficiency, consistency, sharpness and quickness, and being upright and adhering to the right path.
明珠当空，骄阳似火。卦象如天。所以说，元、亨、利、贞。
The pearl shines in the sky, the proud sun is like fire. The hexagram is like sunny sky. Therefore, it is self-sufficiency, consistency, sharpness and quickness, and being upright and adhering to the right path.
爻辞 - Line (Yao) Commentary
初九。潜龙勿用
A hidden dragon do not take actions.
龙，变化万物，天空主宰，一切阳刚的寓意。整个乾卦都以“龙”来指代 “自己”。
宇宙虚空的由来，新轮回的开始（和“未济”卦相呼应）。
宇宙本有，天空常在。完全靠自己发展。
仿佛新生婴儿触摸世界，认清自己，认清不熟悉的环境，保存自己，默默的积聚力量。所以说，潜龙勿用。
这一爻说的是，韬光养晦，是为了厚积薄发。
题外话，“大爆炸理论”中宇宙之前的“奇点”理论也有些“潜龙”的意味。
Dragon, transforms all things, dominates the sky, represents all the meanings of Yang rigidity. The whole Qian hexagram is referred to as "Dragon" to represent "self".
The origin of the universe's emptiness, the beginning of a new cycle (corresponding with the "not relieved" hexagram).
The universe is innate, the sky is always there. Completely relying on oneself to develop.
Like a newborn baby touching the world, recognizing oneself, recognizing an unfamiliar environment, preserving oneself, and silently accumulating strength. Therefore, a hidden dragon do not take actions.
This line says, cultivate your strength in obscurity, in order to be able to reap benefits later.
Aside, the "Singularity" theory in the "Big Bang Theory" also has some "hidden dragon" implications before the universe.
九二。见龙在田。利见大人
Show dragon in the field; it is beneficial to meet with great people.
见，通“现”。
自己积累到一定程度，随时可以投入到外部环境的竞争中去。
不用为了低调而低调，正常活动活动，被发现也没关系。田地指代孕育自身的温床。所以说，见龙在田；
做好和外部打交道的准备了。所以说，利见大人。
这一爻说的是，正常发展，崭露头角。
When you accumulate to a certain extent, you can participate in the competition in the external environment at any time.
Do not keep a low profile just for the sake of keeping a low profile. Engage in normal activities and it's okay if you are discovered. The field represents the warm bed that nurtures the self. So, show dragon in the field;
Well prepared to deal with the outside world. So, it is beneficial to meet with great people.
This line says, normal development and standing out.
九三。君子终日乾乾，夕惕若。厉，无咎
A gentleman is always careful and cautious in the evening, with caution and without harm.
乾乾，健健，努力不懈的意思。
自己足够优秀，但不能自满，需要分清敌我。外部环境瞬息万变，自身不进则退，所以每天都需要努力不懈，晚上还要保持警惕的心，关起门来反省得失。很辛苦，但这是必经的磨砺，只有这样，才不会有什么灾患。所以说，君子终日乾乾，夕惕若。厉，无咎。
这一爻说的是，居安思危。
One is competent enough, but should not be complacent, and needs to distinguish between friends and foes. The external environment changes rapidly and one will decline if one does not progress, so effort must be made every day, and one must remain vigilant at night, reflecting on gains and losses. It is hard, but this is a necessary grind, and only in this way will there be no disaster. Therefore, a gentleman is always careful and cautious in the evening, with caution and without harm.
This line means, being secure and thinking of danger.
九四。或跃在渊，无咎
Either jump into the abyss or soar, it's harmless.
有了足够的积累，大势之下，什么发展策略都可以去实行。进可攻而灭敌；退可守而耗敌。是不会有什么灾患的。就像神龙离开温床，可以退居于渊，也可飞腾而起。所以说，或跃在渊，无咎。
这一爻说的是，内外结合，动静皆宜。
With enough accumulation, under favorable circumstances, any development strategy can be implemented. Attacking the enemy can lead to victory, while retreating can lead to wearing down the enemy. There will be no disasters. It is like a divine dragon leaving the incubator, it can retreat to the abyss, or soar to the sky. So, either jump into the abyss or soar, it's harmless.
This line speaks of the integration of internal and external, both action and stillness are appropriate.
九五。飞龙在天，利见大人
A flying dragon in the sky is beneficial when encountering important people.
内外一致，平衡和谐的状态。主体好似飞龙在天，自强不息。变成世人仰望的神龙。就像太阳运行周天不怠。显出能力并取得成就。所以说，飞龙在天，利见大人。
这一爻说的是，把握时机，积极进取。
Balance and harmony within and outside. The subject is like a flying dragon in the sky, constantly striving. Becoming a dragon that the world looks up to. Like the sun that moves around the sky without rest. Showing capability and achieving success. So it says, a flying dragon in the sky is beneficial when encountering important people.
This line speaks of seizing the opportunity and being proactive.
上九。亢龙有悔
Dragon flying too high has regrets.
亢，本义“高”。
神龙飞天，自身能力有限，而天地无有尽头，区别只在起点选择的道路和目标。
就像登山远望，已经到达山顶，却发现还有更高的山峰。无法在山顶凭空变出天梯爬得更高，就只有回到山脚重攀高峰。
自己站在最高点，发现有更高的目标却遥不可及。会为当初目标的选择错误感到后悔。所以说，亢龙有悔。
这一爻说的是，物极必反。因循守旧、得过且过，还是回到原点重攀高峰？
A dragon is flying in the sky, who has limited abilities, but the sky and earth are boundless. The difference lies in the choice of starting point and the target.
Like mountain climbing, once you have reached the summit, you find that there is still a higher peak. If you cannot go higher from the summit, you have to return to the bottom and climb again.
When standing at the highest point, you find that there is a higher goal that is out of reach. You will regret the wrong choice of goal. That is why it is said that dragon flying too high has regrets.
This line says that things will reverse when they reach an extreme. Whether to persist in tradition and just get by, or to return to the starting point and aim for a higher peak?
带着成功的经验重新开始，厚德载物，下卦为坤。
Start again with the experience of success, with a virtuous heart and carry your burdens. The next hexagram is Kun (Extend).
Last updated