Hexagram 49 · 革 · Gé
Revolution
- Element:
- Fire over Lake
- Key themes:
- change, transformation, renewal, upheaval, opportunity
Image
A fire that transforms everything in its path, symbolizing radical change and renewal.
Overall message
Hexagram 49 symbolizes radical change and transformation. It encourages embracing upheaval as an opportunity for renewal and growth. Success comes from acting decisively and adapting to the new order.
Embrace change and transformation. Be prepared to let go of the old to make way for the new. Act decisively but with careful consideration.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. (What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.
Image. (The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and that for fire in the midst of them form Ko. The superior man, in accordance with this, regulates his (astronomical) calculations, and makes clear the seasons and times.
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · After the Revolution
The revolution is over, and it is time to reflect and rebuild.
Reflect on the changes and focus on creating a sustainable future.
Line 5 · Completion of Change
The transformation is complete, and a new order is established.
Consolidate the changes and ensure stability.
Line 4 · Breaking Through
The change breaks through resistance, and transformation occurs.
Celebrate the breakthrough but remain vigilant.
Line 3 · Resistance to Change
Resistance to the change arises, creating tension.
Stay firm in your resolve and address resistance with patience.
Line 2 · Gathering Momentum
The change begins to take shape, and momentum builds.
Act decisively and align yourself with the forces of change.
Line 1 · Beginning of Change
The seeds of change are planted, but the transformation is not yet visible.
Prepare for change and remain open to new possibilities.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 4 · 蒙 · Méng. 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 31 · 咸 · Xián
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 43 · 夬 · Guài
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 17 · 随 · Suí
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 55 · 丰 · Fēng
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 13 · 同人 · Tóng Rén