䷪ Guài guài
Core Meaning
The Guài hexagram reveals the wisdom of making decisive judgments. Resolution is necessary but requires proper methods. Guài emphasizes: resolution must be open and above board, 'exposed in the royal court' transparent and not clandestine; maintain high vigilance, 'with earnest proclamation, there is danger' beware of counterattacks; use virtue, not force, 'not favorable for immediate warfare' using morality instead of power; be decisive but not reckless, 'strong in the front toes, advancing without overcoming' impulsive forward movement leads to defeat; always be alert and prepared, 'vigilant proclamation, at night there is warfare' stay vigilant; firm resolution must be centered and correct, 'acting in the middle brings no misfortune' adhere to the middle way to decisively eliminate evil. In modern society, decisions are ubiquitous: layoffs, breakups, cutting losses, reforms. Guài tells us: decisions must be made promptly without delay, openly and honestly without conspiracy, convince with reason not domineering, and leave room for maneuver not being heartless. True resolution is rational courage.
The Judgment
Exposed in the royal court, with earnest proclamation, there is danger. Proclaim from the city, not favorable for immediate warfare. Favorable to have a destination to go.
Interpretation:
Publicly denounce the wrongdoings of villains in the imperial court; a sincere and earnest proclamation requires vigilance against danger. Issuing decrees in the city is not favorable for warfare; it is favorable to have a destination to go.
The Image
Lake ascending to Heaven is Guài. The noble person bestows blessings upon those below, and is wary of dwelling in virtue.
Structure
The Guài hexagram has Qián (Heaven) below and Duì (Lake) above, forming the image of Lake over Heaven, Guài. Water accumulates in the heaven, which will inevitably break through and descend—this is the 'Guài' atmosphere. Guài means to resolve or to cut off. Five yang lines below collectively resolve one yin line above, symbolizing the noble person resolving the villain. The lower trigram Qián is strong and vigorous; the upper trigram Duì is joyous. Vigorous yet joyous, decisive yet harmonious. The time for Guài has reached its final moment; though few, villains still occupy high positions and must be decisively eliminated. However, the resolution must be open and upright, 'exposed in the royal court' to be publicly announced; it must win people over with virtue, 'not favorable for immediate warfare' without using force; and one must remain vigilant, 'with earnest proclamation, there is danger' guarding against counterattacks. The Guài hexagram emphasizes that resolution must be decisive but not reckless, open and honest, and win with virtue.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial Nine: Strong in the front toes. Advancing without overcoming leads to misfortune.
Nine in the second place: Vigilant proclamation. At night there is warfare. Do not be anxious.
Nine in the third place: Strong in the cheekbones. There is misfortune. The noble person resolves resolutely. Walking alone, one meets rain. If wet, there is resentment, but no misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place: The hips have no skin. Its movement is hesitant. Pulling sheep, remorse disappears. Hearing words, but not believing them.
Nine in the fifth place: Like weeding the water plantain, resolute. Acting in the middle brings no misfortune.
Top Six: Without proclamation, in the end there is misfortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career decisions should be decisive and rational. 'Exposed in the royal court,' decisions should be open and transparent, convincing everyone. 'With earnest proclamation, there is danger,' after announcing, be wary of backlash from opposing forces. 'Not favorable for immediate warfare,' do not push aggressively, but persuade with reason. Initial Nine, 'strong in the front toes,' is the most dangerous, impulsive action will inevitably fail. Nine in the second place, 'vigilant proclamation,' is the wisest, maintaining vigilance and working day and night. Nine in the third place requires decisiveness, 'the noble person resolves resolutely,' adhering to principles alone, though misunderstood, ultimately leads to no misfortune. Nine in the fourth place hesitates, 'its movement is hesitant,' caught between advance and retreat. Nine in the fifth place is best, 'like weeding the water plantain, resolute,' decisively like pulling out tender plants, 'acting in the middle' adhering to the correct path. Remember: decisions require thorough preparation, openness, persuasion with reason, and must avoid impulsiveness and recklessness.
❤️ Relationships
Emotional decisions need to be rational and clear-headed. 'Exposed in the royal court,' decisions like breaking up should be openly explained, avoiding clandestine operations. 'With earnest proclamation, there is danger,' after the decision, be wary of the other party's entanglement. 'Not favorable for immediate warfare,' do not use aggressive means, aim for an amiable separation. The most regrettable is 'strong in the front toes,' making impulsive decisions will lead to后悔. Be like Nine in the second place, 'vigilant proclamation,' maintaining rational vigilance. Although Nine in the third place, adhering to principles 'resolutely walking alone,' may encounter misunderstandings 'if wet, there is resentment,' one has a clear conscience. Nine in the fourth place's hesitation 'its movement is hesitant' is the most painful; indecisiveness only leads to chaos. Nine in the fifth place is ideal, 'acting in the middle brings no misfortune,' handling things decisively with a balanced attitude. Remember: when it's time to cut ties, do so without delay; communicate rationally, not emotionally; be open and leave room for maneuver.
🎯 Decision Making
Decisions must be decisive but require method. 'Guài means to resolve,' the time for decision has come and action must be taken. It should be 'exposed in the royal court,' open and transparent, letting everyone know the reasons. It should be 'with earnest proclamation, there is danger,' maintaining vigilance to prevent backlash. It should be 'not favorable for immediate warfare,' winning people over with virtue, not using aggressive means. Avoid 'strong in the front toes,' impulsive action will inevitably fail. Learn from Nine in the second place, 'vigilant proclamation,' remaining vigilant after the decision. Nine in the third place must persevere, 'resolutely walking alone,' adhering to principles despite misunderstandings. Nine in the fourth place's hesitation 'is hesitant' is most undesirable; when a decision is required, it must be decisive. Nine in the fifth place is best, 'like weeding the water plantain, resolute' as decisive as pulling weeds, and 'acting in the middle' maintaining the correct path. Remember: when the time is right, be decisive; use correct methods to win people over with virtue; stay vigilant to prevent reversals.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The biggest warning of the Guài hexagram is impulsiveness and recklessness. 'Strong in the front toes, advancing without overcoming leads to misfortune,' impulsive forward movement will inevitably fail. Be wary of: insufficient preparation before decision, lack of openness during decision, insufficient vigilance after decision, pushing with aggressive means, and hesitating to delay the opportune moment. Remember: Guài means 'exposed in the royal court' to be open and honest, 'with earnest proclamation, there is danger' to stay vigilant, 'not favorable for immediate warfare' to win people over with virtue, and 'acting in the middle' to adhere to the correct path. Top Six, 'without proclamation, in the end there is misfortune,' is the most dangerous; villains stubbornly resisting will ultimately fail. Decisiveness is necessary, but it must be rational, open, virtuous, and firm. Avoid: emotionality, clandestine operations, aggression, and indecision.
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Guài hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: