Hexagram 33
Withdrawal
Dun (Retreat) (天山遯)
Upper: ☰ Qian (乾) (Heaven) · Lower: ☶ Gen (艮) (Mountain)
䷠
📊 Binary Architecture & The Six Lines
Top Line
Yang
Fifth Line
Yang
Fourth Line
Yang
Third Line
Yang
Second Line
Yin
Initial Line
Yin
Outer (Upper Trigram)
☰ Qian (乾)
Nature: Heaven (天)
Element: Metal (金)
Inner (Lower Trigram)
☶ Gen (艮)
Nature: Mountain (山)
Element: Earth (土)
📜 The Judgment (卦辭 / Guaci)
亨，小利貞。
Graceful and timely strategic withdrawal. Step back without bitterness to preserve dignity and strength.
🧭 The Image (大象傳 / Da Xiang) & Archetypal Conduct
天下有山，遯，君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Mountain under heaven: The image of Retreat. Thus the superior man keeps the petty man at a distance, not in anger but with dignified reserve.
📖 The Lines (爻辭 / Yaoci)
- Line 1 初六Bottom line (1st) · Yin遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。At the tail of the retreat: danger. Do not undertake anything.
- Line 2 六二2nd line · Yin執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。He holds fast with yellow ox-hide; no one can loosen him.
- Line 3 九三3rd line · Yang係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。A retreat held back: ailing and perilous; keeping servants and concubines brings good fortune.
- Line 4 九四4th line · Yang好遯君子吉，小人否。Voluntary retreat: good fortune for the noble person; the petty person cannot.
- Line 5 九五5th line · Yang嘉遯，貞吉。Excellent retreat; steadfastness brings good fortune.
- Line 6 上九Top line (6th) · Yang肥遯，無不利。Cheerful retreat: nothing is unfavorable.
Original line texts are transcribed from Wikisource (周易). The English renderings are literal working drafts under editorial review and may change.
✨ Practical Discernment & Life Guidance
💼 Career & Vision:
Withdraw tactfully from unwinnable situations with composed dignity rather than rancor or panic.
🤝 Relationships & Harmony:
Keep petty, toxic personalities at a serene distance with courteous yet firm boundaries.
💰 Wealth & Foundations:
Take profits in overextended markets, reduce exposure, and safeguard accrued capital.