遯 → 坤
Hexagram 33: Retreat → Hexagram 2: The Receptive
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 3, 4, 5, 6).
Line 3
九三 係遯。有疾厲。畜臣妾吉。
Nine in the third place means: A halted retreat Is nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as men- and maidservants Brings good fortune.
Line 4
九四 好遯。君子吉。小人否。
Nine in the fourth place means: Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man And downfall to the inferior man.
Line 5
九五 嘉遯貞吉。
Nine in the fifth place means: Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 6
上九 肥遯无不利。
Nine at the top means: Cheerful retreat. Everything serves to further.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
周成之隆，刑措無凶，太宰讚佑，君子作仁。
The flourishing reign of King Cheng of Zhou; punishments set aside, no misfortune. The Grand Chancellor gives aid and praise; the noble man enacts benevolence.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Heaven above the mountain descends into doubled earth — the Receptive's generous stillness. The verse celebrates the golden age of King Cheng of Zhou: punishments are set aside because no crimes arise, and the Grand Steward assists with blessing. Gentlemen practice benevolence throughout the realm. King Cheng, son of King Wu, reigned under the regency of the Duke of Zhou, whose institutional reforms created a period of legendary peace. The 'Grand Steward' likely refers to the Duke of Zhou himself in his administrative capacity. From Retreat to the Receptive, strategic withdrawal paradoxically enables the fullest expression of nurturing governance. The mountain yields to earth: the ruler who knows when to step back — delegating to a trusted minister — creates the conditions for a kingdom where force becomes unnecessary.
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