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 40 · 解 · Xiè

Deliverance

Element:
Thunder over Water
Key themes:
release, freedom, relief, resolution, renewal

Image

Thunder above water, symbolizing the release of tension and the arrival of deliverance.

Overall message

Hexagram 40 represents the concept of deliverance and release. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of past burdens, resolving conflicts, and embracing renewal. Success comes from finding relief and moving forward with a clear and focused mind.

Embrace the opportunity for release and freedom. Let go of past burdens and embrace renewal. Success comes from resolving conflicts and finding relief.

Classical text (Legge, 1882)

Judgment. In (the state indicated by) Kieh advantage will be found in the south-west. If no (further) operations be called for, there will be good fortune in coming back (to the old conditions). If some operations be called for, there will be good fortune in the early conducting of them.

Image. (The trigram representing) thunder and that for rain, with these phenomena in a state of manifestation, form Kieh. The superior man, in accordance with this, forgives errors, and deals gently with crimes.

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 Deliverance

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

    Reflect on the lessons learned. Use this knowledge to build a stronger foundation.

  2. Line 5 · Leadership in Deliverance

    Strong leadership guides the release and renewal.

    Lead with integrity and vision. Your guidance will inspire others.

  3. Line 4 · Harmonious Release

    The release is harmonious and well-supported. Success is within reach.

    Work with others to achieve harmony. Collaboration will enhance your progress.

  4. Line 3 · Overcoming Setbacks

    Setbacks may occur, but they can be overcome with determination.

    Stay resilient and focused. Use setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.

  5. Line 2 · Steady Progress

    Progress is steady but slow. Patience is key.

    Be patient and persistent. Small, consistent steps will lead to success.

  6. Line 1 · Initial Release

    The first signs of release and freedom appear. Be open to new beginnings.

    Welcome the release and embrace new opportunities. Stay hopeful and open to change.

Related hexagrams

Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 37 · 家人 · Jiā Rén. 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 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì. 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 54 · 归妹 · Guī Mèi
  2. Line 2 changing → Hexagram 16 · 豫 · Yù
  3. Line 3 changing → Hexagram 32 · 恒 · Héng
  4. Line 4 changing → Hexagram 7 · 师 · Shī
  5. Line 5 changing → Hexagram 47 · 困 · Kùn
  6. Line 6 changing → Hexagram 64 · 未济 · Wèi Jì