Hexagram 55, Line 6

The Line Text

Interpretation

This top line represents the extreme and ultimate negative potential of Abundance. It is a powerful cautionary tale about the consequences of hubris and isolation. The image is of someone who has achieved the pinnacle of material success—a magnificent, abundant house—but has done so by cutting themselves off from all human connection. Their ambition and ego have caused them to "soar to the very edge of the sky," losing touch with the ground and the people who matter. They screen off their home, creating a fortress of solitude. When they finally look out, they find only emptiness and silence; they have successfully alienated everyone. The "three years" is a symbolic duration signifying a long and desolate period of this self-inflicted exile. The judgment is unequivocally "Misfortune" because this is not true abundance; it is a hollow shell, a grand prison of one's own making. This line signifies the tragic end of a path where success was pursued at the cost of humanity, leading to profound loneliness and spiritual bankruptcy.

Guidance for Action

This line is a stark warning against letting success lead to arrogance and isolation. If you are experiencing a period of great achievement, you must consciously work to remain humble, accessible, and connected to others. Share your good fortune, whether it be knowledge, time, or resources. Do not build walls around yourself or believe that your success makes you superior. If you already feel the chill of isolation described in this line, the message is urgent. You must take active steps to dismantle the barriers you have erected. The isolation is self-imposed ("he has hidden himself away"), which means you hold the key to ending it. Reach out to others with humility. Re-establish broken connections. It will take time and effort to reverse the situation, but the alternative is the deep misfortune of a grand but empty existence.

For Love & Relationships

In the context of love and relationships, this line points to a relationship that appears perfect or prosperous on the outside but is emotionally barren and desolate within. The "abundant house" could be a beautiful home, financial security, or a socially impressive partnership, but the emotional connection is gone. One or both partners have withdrawn, building walls of pride, resentment, or indifference. Communication has ceased, leaving a profound silence and loneliness within the partnership. If you receive this line, it may be describing the current state of your relationship or warning you against creating such a dynamic. The cause is often ego—one partner's success may have led to an attitude of superiority, or pride prevents either person from being vulnerable. The guidance is to break the silence and tear down the walls, even if it feels difficult. True abundance in love comes from connection, not from external appearances.

For Career & Business

In a career context, this line depicts a leader or professional who has reached the zenith of their field but has become completely isolated. This is the CEO in the corner office who is unapproachable, the expert who scoffs at others' ideas, or the manager who has alienated their entire team through arrogance. They have all the trappings of success—the title, the salary, the authority (the "abundant house")—but they have no real influence because no one trusts or wants to connect with them. They are surrounded by silence because no one offers genuine feedback or collaboration anymore. This leads to stagnation and eventual failure ("Misfortune"). This line is a powerful warning to leaders: stay grounded, listen to your team, foster open communication, and share the credit for success. Do not allow your achievements to become a fortress that cuts you off from the very people you need to lead.

For Financial Matters

This line is the classic archetype of the lonely, miserly rich person. It describes a situation where immense wealth has been accumulated, but at the total expense of human relationships and personal joy. The "abundant house" is literal—a mansion filled with expensive things—but it is an empty, silent place. The focus on acquiring and hoarding wealth has led the person to become suspicious, isolated, and cut off from friends, family, and community. They may have "screened off" their life with lawyers, security, and a wall of distrust. The misfortune here is not financial loss, but a profound spiritual and emotional poverty. True wealth enriches life and relationships; the wealth described here has impoverished the soul. The guidance is to remember that money is a tool, not an end in itself. Use your resources to build connections, support others, and experience the world, lest you end up a lonely prisoner in your own vault.