坤 → 遯
Hexagram 2: The Receptive → Hexagram 33: Retreat
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 3, 4, 5, 6).
Line 3
六三 含章可貞。或從王事。无成有終。
Six in the third place means: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, Seek not works, but bring to completion.
Line 4
六四 括囊。无咎无譽。
Six in the fourth place means: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.
Line 5
六五 黃裳。元吉。
Six in the fifth place means: A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune.
Line 6
上六 龍戰于野。其血玄黃。
Six at the top means: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
鴟鴞破斧，邦人危殆。賴其忠德，轉禍為福，傾危復立。
The owl breaks the axe; the people are in peril. By virtue of loyal integrity, disaster turns to blessing; the tottering is set upright again.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth upon earth yields to heaven above mountain — Retreat. The owl destroys the axe, and the people of the realm stand in peril. Yet through loyal virtue the crisis is reversed: disaster becomes blessing, and the tottering state stands again. This alludes to the Shijing ode 'Chi Xiao,' attributed to the Duke of Zhou, who used the metaphor of an owl threatening a bird's nest to describe enemies menacing the young Zhou state. Despite overwhelming danger, the Duke's steadfast loyalty — his refusal to abandon the throne during the rebellion of the Three Monitors — preserved the dynasty. From the Receptive to Retreat, the earth's supportive ground meets the mountain beneath heaven, where the wise know when to yield and when to stand firm. The Duke of Zhou's genius was not retreat itself, but knowing precisely what must be protected.
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