The 64 hexagrams

Browse every hexagram by number, search by name or theme, or filter by element.

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No. 1乾QiánThe CreativeNo. 2坤KūnThe ReceptiveNo. 3屯ZhūnDifficulty at the BeginningNo. 4蒙MéngYouthful FollyNo. 5需XūWaitingNo. 6讼SòngConflictNo. 7师ShīThe ArmyNo. 8比BǐHolding TogetherNo. 9小畜Xiǎo ChùSmall TamingNo. 10履LǚTreadingNo. 11泰TàiPeaceNo. 12否PǐStandstillNo. 13同人Tóng RénFellowshipNo. 14大有Dà YǒuGreat PossessionNo. 15谦QiānModestyNo. 16豫YùEnthusiasmNo. 17随SuíFollowingNo. 18蛊GǔWork on the DecayedNo. 19临LínApproachNo. 20观GuānContemplationNo. 21噬嗑Shì KēBiting ThroughNo. 22贲BìGraceNo. 23剥BōSplitting ApartNo. 24复FùReturnNo. 25无妄Wú WàngInnocenceNo. 26大畜Dà ChùGreat TamingNo. 27颐YíNourishmentNo. 28大过Dà GuòGreat PreponderanceNo. 29坎KǎnThe AbysmalNo. 30离LíThe ClingingNo. 31咸XiánInfluenceNo. 32恒HéngDurationNo. 33遯DùnRetreatNo. 34大壮Dà ZhuàngGreat PowerNo. 35晋JìnProgressNo. 36明夷Míng YíDarkening of the LightNo. 37家人Jiā RénThe FamilyNo. 38睽KuíOppositionNo. 39蹇JiǎnObstructionNo. 40解XièDeliveranceNo. 41损SǔnDecreaseNo. 42益YìIncreaseNo. 43夬GuàiBreakthroughNo. 44姤GòuComing to MeetNo. 45萃CuìGathering TogetherNo. 46升ShēngPushing UpwardNo. 47困KùnOppressionNo. 48井JǐngThe WellNo. 49革GéRevolutionNo. 50鼎DǐngThe CaldronNo. 51震ZhènThe ArousingNo. 52艮GènKeeping StillNo. 53渐JiànDevelopmentNo. 54归妹Guī MèiThe Marrying MaidenNo. 55丰FēngAbundanceNo. 56旅LǚThe WandererNo. 57巽XùnThe GentleNo. 58兑DuìThe JoyousNo. 59涣HuànDispersionNo. 60节JiéLimitationNo. 61中孚Zhōng FúInner TruthNo. 62小过Xiǎo GuòSmall PreponderanceNo. 63既济Jì JìAfter CompletionNo. 64未济Wèi JìBefore Completion

Hexagram 33 · 遯 · Dùn

Retreat

Element:
Mountain over Heaven
Key themes:
retreat, withdrawal, strategy, caution, timing

Image

A mountain beneath heaven, symbolizing the need to retreat and withdraw strategically.

Overall message

Hexagram 33 represents the concept of retreat and strategic withdrawal. It emphasizes the importance of caution, timing, and strategic planning. Success comes from knowing when to step back and regroup for future opportunities.

Recognize when to retreat and withdraw. Act with caution and strategic timing. Success comes from knowing when to step back and regroup for future opportunities.

Classical text (Legge, 1882)

Judgment. Thun indicates successful progress (in its circumstances). To a small extent it will (still) be advantageous to be firm and correct.

Image. (The trigram representing) the sky and below it that for a mountain form Thun. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps small men at a distance, not by showing that he hates them, but by his own. dignified gravity.

From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.

The six lines

  1. Line 6 · Completion of Retreat

    The period of retreat is complete. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.

    Reflect on the experience and learn from it. Prepare for future opportunities.

  2. Line 5 · Leadership in Retreat

    Strong leadership guides the retreat and ensures safety.

    Lead with wisdom and caution. Ensure the safety of your group.

  3. Line 4 · Seeking Safety

    Seek safety and regroup. Prepare for future opportunities.

    Find a safe place to regroup. Prepare for future actions.

  4. Line 3 · Overcoming Resistance

    Resistance may arise, but it can be overcome with careful planning.

    Stay focused and strategic. Overcome resistance with careful planning.

  5. Line 2 · Strategic Withdrawal

    Withdraw strategically to avoid unnecessary conflict.

    Avoid confrontation. Withdraw with a clear plan in mind.

  6. Line 1 · Initial Retreat

    The beginning of a retreat. Be cautious and strategic.

    Start the retreat with caution. Plan your next steps carefully.

Related hexagrams

Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 19 · 临 · Lín. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.

Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 44 · 姤 · Gòu. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.

Change by line:

If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:

  1. Line 1 changing → Hexagram 13 · 同人 · Tóng Rén
  2. Line 2 changing → Hexagram 44 · 姤 · Gòu
  3. Line 3 changing → Hexagram 12 · 否 · Pǐ
  4. Line 4 changing → Hexagram 53 · 渐 · Jiàn
  5. Line 5 changing → Hexagram 56 · 旅 · Lǚ
  6. Line 6 changing → Hexagram 31 · 咸 · Xián