䷰ Revolution gé
Core Meaning
The Hexagram of Revolution reveals the wisdom of change. Change is necessary, but method is crucial. This hexagram emphasizes: change must be timely, 'on the day Ji, you will be trusted' means do not act rashly before the time is ripe; change must be proper, 'great success, advantageous persistence' means the direction is correct; change must gain trust, 'you will be trusted' means gaining popular support; change must be gradual, 'verbal changes in three steps' means repeated deliberation and full preparation; change must be thorough, 'a great person transforms like a tiger' means thorough transformation, 'a superior person transforms like a leopard' means continuous follow-up, 'a small person changes their face' means universal transformation. In modern society, change is everywhere: corporate transformation, institutional reform, personal change. This hexagram tells us: change must 'conform to heaven and respond to people', following natural laws and public sentiment; change must be 'civilized with clear explanation', convincing people with reason, not force; change must be 'properly done', with the right method, 'then regret will vanish'. True revolution is 'Tang and Wu's Revolution', getting rid of the old and ushering in the new, winning the hearts of all.
The Judgment
On the day Ji (己), you will be trusted. Great success, advantageous persistence. Regret vanishes.
Interpretation:
Only when the day of change arrives can one gain trust. It implies great success, is beneficial for steadfastness, and regret will vanish.
The Image
Fire in the Lake: Revolution. The superior person thereby sets the calendar and makes the seasons clear.
Structure
The hexagram Revolution has Li (Fire) below and Dui (Lake) above, forming the image of Lake over Fire. Fire in the Lake, water and fire interact and change each other, which is the spirit of 'Revolution'. Revolution means to reform and renew. The lower trigram Li represents fire and civilization, the upper trigram Dui represents joy. Being civilized and joyful, change wins people's hearts. The key to Revolution lies in: opportune timing, 'on the day Ji, you will be trusted' means only when the time is right can one gain trust; conforming to heaven's will, 'conforming to heaven and responding to people' implies favorable timing and popular support; gradual progress, 'three steps to verbal change' means repeated deliberation; civilized and proper, 'civilized with clear explanation' means convincing people with reason; starting well and finishing well, 'great person transforms like a tiger, superior person transforms like a leopard' means continuous advancement. The hexagram Revolution emphasizes that change must be timely, proper, trustworthy, gradual, and thorough.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
First Nine: Bind with the hide of a yellow ox.
Six Two: On the day Ji (己), one revolutionizes. Going forth brings good fortune, no blame.
Nine Three: Going forth brings misfortune. Persevering is perilous. Verbal changes in three steps lead to trust.
Nine Four: Regret vanishes. Trust is gained, the mandate is changed. Good fortune.
Nine Five: The great person transforms like a tiger. Without divining, trust is gained.
Upper Six: The superior person transforms like a leopard. The small person changes their face. Going forth brings misfortune. To remain firm brings good fortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career change must grasp the opportune moment. 'On the day Ji, you will be trusted'—timing is paramount. 'Great success, advantageous persistence'—the direction must be correct. First Nine 'bind with the hide of a yellow ox' implies utmost caution, binding firmly with oxhide, 'not to act' when the time is not yet ripe. Six Two 'on the day Ji, one revolutionizes' is the best timing, 'going forth brings good fortune, no blame' means decisive change, 'action brings praise' will yield results. Nine Three requires caution, 'going forth brings misfortune' means one cannot rush, 'verbal changes in three steps' implies repeated deliberation, 'trust is gained'. Nine Four 'trust is gained, the mandate is changed, good fortune', once trust is established, change can be initiated, 'no regret'. Nine Five 'the great person transforms like a tiger' implies thorough change, like a fierce tiger, 'without divining, trust is gained' means it is beyond doubt, 'its pattern is brilliant' glorious and splendid. Upper Six 'the superior person transforms like a leopard' implies continued improvement, 'the small person changes their face' means all personnel transform, but 'going forth brings misfortune, to remain firm brings good fortune' means one should not be overly radical and should uphold what is right. Remember: change requires timing, propriety, trust, gradualness, and thoroughness.
❤️ Relationships
Changes in relationships require careful and gradual approaches. 'On the day Ji, you will be trusted' — choosing the right time for change. 'Advantageous persistence' — upholding the right path. First Nine 'bind with the hide of a yellow ox' — for now, do not act rashly, stabilize firmly as if bound with oxhide. Six Two 'on the day Ji, one revolutionizes' — when the time is ripe, make decisive changes, 'going forth brings good fortune, no blame'. Nine Three requires caution, 'going forth brings misfortune' — rushing will lead to failure, 'verbal changes in three steps' — repeated communication is needed, 'trust is gained' — build trust. Nine Four 'trust is gained, the mandate is changed' — once trust is obtained, changes can be made, 'regret vanishes, good fortune'. Nine Five 'the great person transforms like a tiger' — thoroughly change oneself, 'without divining, trust is gained' — naturally gain the other person's trust. Upper Six 'the superior person transforms like a leopard' — continue to improve, 'the small person changes their face' — transform comprehensively, but 'going forth brings misfortune, to remain firm brings good fortune' — do not be overly radical. Remember: relationship changes require the right timing, sincerity, communication, and thorough self-transformation.
🎯 Decision Making
Decision-making for change requires aligning with heaven and people. 'Revolution, water and fire interact' means change is inevitable. One must 'on the day Ji, you will be trusted' to choose the right time, 'great success, advantageous persistence' for the correct direction, 'conform to heaven and respond to people' to follow natural laws and popular sentiment, 'civilized with clear explanation' to convince people with reason. First Nine 'bind with the hide of a yellow ox' means consolidate first when the time is not ripe, 'not to act'. Six Two 'on the day Ji, one revolutionizes' means to act decisively when the time is ripe, 'going forth brings good fortune'. Nine Three 'verbal changes in three steps' means repeated deliberation and full preparation, 'trust is gained'. Nine Four 'trust is gained, the mandate is changed' means revolution can now commence. Nine Five 'the great person transforms like a tiger' means thorough change, 'its pattern is brilliant' dazzling. Upper Six 'the superior person transforms like a leopard' means continued improvement, 'the small person changes their face' means all follow, 'to remain firm brings good fortune' means keeping to righteousness is auspicious. Remember: 'how great is the time of revolution', the timing of change is most crucial.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest warning of the Hexagram of Revolution is improper timing. 'On the day Ji, you will be trusted' is most important; acting rashly before the time is ripe will inevitably lead to failure. Be wary of: initiating change when the timing is wrong, making chaotic changes with the wrong direction, forcibly pushing changes against people's will, rushing into radical changes, and abandoning change halfway. Remember: change requires 'on the day Ji, you will be trusted' to choose the right time, 'great success, advantageous persistence' for the correct direction, 'conform to heaven and respond to people' for favorable timing and popular support, 'civilized with clear explanation' to convince people with reason, 'verbal changes in three steps' for full preparation, and 'the great person transforms like a tiger' for thorough change. First Nine 'bind with the hide of a yellow ox' warns to hold steady when the time is not ripe. Nine Three 'going forth brings misfortune' warns that rushing will fail. Most importantly, 'if the revolution is proper, regret will vanish,' meaning proper change prevents regret. 'Tang and Wu's Revolution' is a paradigm, conforming to heaven and people, getting rid of the old and ushering in the new.
Applicable Scenarios
The Revolution hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
The Revolution of King Tang of Shang is a classic example of the Ge hexagram. King Jie of Xia was tyrannical, and the people suffered immensely, leading to 'on the day Ji, you will be trusted' – the opportune moment for change had arrived. King Tang 'conformed to heaven and responded to people', aligning with Heaven's will and the popular sentiment. He did not hesitate like the First Nine, 'bind with the hide of a yellow ox', but rather 'on the day Ji, one revolutionizes' – he acted decisively, and 'going forth brings good fortune, no blame'. He made 'verbal changes in three steps' – preparing meticulously, and 'trust is gained' – gaining the trust of the feudal lords. Nine Four, 'trust is gained, the mandate is changed' – he overthrew the Xia dynasty and established the Shang dynasty. He was 'a great person transforms like a tiger' – thoroughly transforming, and 'without divining, trust is gained' – the whole world submitted to him, and 'its pattern is brilliant' – his achievements were glorious. 'A superior person transforms like a leopard' – wise ministers assisted him, and 'a small person changes their face' – the entire populace supported him. He 'remained firm' – adhering to the right path without being overly radical. This embodies the wisdom of the Ge hexagram: change must be timely, proper, popular, and thorough. 'If the revolution is proper, regret will vanish' – proper change leaves no room for regret. 'How great is the time of revolution' – the timing of change is most crucial.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Revolution 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: