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
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.
Line 5 · Leadership in Retreat
Strong leadership guides the retreat and ensures safety.
Lead with wisdom and caution. Ensure the safety of your group.
Line 4 · Seeking Safety
Seek safety and regroup. Prepare for future opportunities.
Find a safe place to regroup. Prepare for future actions.
Line 3 · Overcoming Resistance
Resistance may arise, but it can be overcome with careful planning.
Stay focused and strategic. Overcome resistance with careful planning.
Line 2 · Strategic Withdrawal
Withdraw strategically to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Avoid confrontation. Withdraw with a clear plan in mind.
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.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 13 · 同人 · Tóng Rén
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 44 · 姤 · Gòu
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 12 · 否 · Pǐ
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 53 · 渐 · Jiàn
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 56 · 旅 · Lǚ
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 31 · 咸 · Xián