I-Ching Hexagram 62
小過 Preponderance of the Small
Also known as Small Exceeding
A time for meticulous attention to small matters, not ambition in great ones. The figure counsels conservative action — reverence, frugality, grief when grief is fitting.
small exceeding · care in small matters · modesty
The Story
A sparrow, in a season of omens, saw a hawk circling and flew low, from branch to branch, staying close to the thickets. She did not try to cross the wide field. She did not sing loudly. She gathered seeds in the scrub, kept her family close, and waited. By the end of the season, the sparrows had multiplied; the hawks, ambitious, had moved on. "The small creature, in a small-creature hour, does not imitate the great," said the old falconer, watching. "Keeping low in the wrong sky is not cowardice. It is how a species survives to see a better one."
The Judgment
Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: it is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune.
The Image
Thunder on the mountain: the image of preponderance of the small. Thus in their conduct the superior person gives preponderance to reverence. In bereavement they give preponderance to grief. In their expenditures they give preponderance to thrift.
Interpretation
A time for meticulous attention to small matters, not ambition in great ones. The figure counsels conservative action — reverence, frugality, grief when grief is fitting. Like a bird flying, do not struggle upward against the currents; descend to where the ground holds.
Trigrams
The Six Lines
- First (Bottom) The bird meets with misfortune through flying. Flying too high too early; one is not yet ready.
- Second She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress. He does not reach his prince and meets the official. No blame. Going around senior obstacles via lower contacts; pragmatic.
- Third If one is not extremely careful, somebody may come up from behind and strike him. Misfortune. Underestimating small threats in a small-scaled time; attacked from behind.
- Fourth No blame. He meets him without passing by. Going brings danger. One must be on guard. Do not act. Do not use perseverance. Encounter what you must; do not press further.
- Fifth Dense clouds, no rain from our western territory. The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave. Gathered preparation releases into a precise small action.
- Sixth (Top) He passes him by, not meeting him. The flying bird leaves him. Misfortune. This means bad luck and injury. Overshoot without contact; lost chance.