遯
DùnUpper: Heaven · 乾 · Lower: Mountain · 艮
Judgment亨。小利贞。
In plain wordsSuccess; in small matters it favors staying on the right course. Dun means withdrawing: stepping back in measured fashion when conditions are unfavorable preserves strength and so brings success.
The imageHeaven above, mountain below: the mountain is high, but heaven is farther still, like a noble person who retreats from petty people and does not contend.
A hint for youRetreat is not flight; it is a way of not wasting yourself. Leave gracefully from settings you should exit, and keep your strength in the right place, so that chances remain later.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初六遯尾，厉，勿用有攸往。The first line, divided, shows a retiring tail. The position is perilous. No movement in any direction should be made.
- 六二执之用黄牛之革，莫之胜说。The second line, divided, shows its subject holding (his purpose) fast as if by a (thong made from the) hide of a yellow ox, which cannot be broken.
- 九三系遯，有疾厉，畜臣妾吉。The third line, undivided, shows one retiring but bound,—to his distress and peril. (If he were to deal with his binders as in) nourishing a servant or concubine, it would be fortunate for him.
- 九四好遯君子吉，小人否。The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject retiring notwithstanding his likings. In a superior man this will lead to good fortune; a small man cannot attain to this.
- 九五嘉遯，贞吉。The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject retiring in an admirable way. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
- 上九肥遯，无不利。The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject retiring in a noble way. It will be advantageous in every respect.
Retreat at the right time
For entertainment and self-reflection only