What this hexagram is about
The waters of the lake drown the great tree — the image of an extraordinary time when things pass far beyond measure. As the ridgepole is about to break, one needs the rare resolve to stand alone unafraid; yet beware, for excess is as ruinous as want.
The Judgment 卦辞
大过，栋桡。利有攸往，亨。
The ridgepole sags. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Success.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：泽灭木，大过；君子以独立不惧，遁世无闷。
The lake rises over and drowns the trees; so the noble person stands alone without fear, and withdraws from the world without distress.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
藉用白茅，柔在下也。
Spreading white reeds beneath the offering — the yielding lies below.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top过涉灭顶，凶，无咎。
Wading in too deep, the water closes over the head — misfortune; yet the aim was to save others, and though it fails it is honorable, so no fault attaches.
Nine in the fifth place枯杨生华，老妇得其士夫，无咎无誉。
The withered willow blooms again — a last flaring that cannot last; an old woman takes a young husband; no great fault, yet nothing to praise.
Six in the fourth place栋隆，吉。有它吝。
The ridgepole rises strong and arched, fit to bear the weight — good fortune; but if there are other ties and other wants, there is cause for regret.
Six in the third place栋桡，凶。
The ridgepole sags and bends — the burden too great to bear; misfortune.
Nine in the second place枯杨生稊，老夫得其女妻，无不利。
The withered willow puts forth fresh shoots; an old man takes a young wife — yin and yang completing each other — nothing that is not favorable.
Initial Nine藉用白茅，无咎。
To lay the offering on a mat of pale, clean reeds — handling weighty matters with reverence and care, bearing the heavy upon the soft; there is no fault.