困 → 遯
Hexagram 47: Oppression → Hexagram 33: Retreat
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 2, 3, 6).
Line 2
九二 困于酒食。朱紱方來。利用享祀。征凶无咎。
Nine in the second place means: One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame.
Line 3
六三 困于石。據于蒺蔾。入于其宮。不見其妻。凶。
Six in the third place means: A man permits himself to be oppressed by stone, And leans on thorns and thistles. He enters the house and does not see his wife. Misfortune.
Line 6
上六 困于葛藟。于臲卼。曰動悔有悔。征吉。
Six at the top means: He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, "Movement brings remorse. " If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, Good fortune comes.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
三頭六足，欲盜東國。顏子在邇，禍滅不成。
Three heads and six feet, scheming to plunder the eastern state. But Yan Zi stands nearby; the plot dissolves and comes to nothing.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
A lake without water: a creature with three heads and six legs schemes to steal the eastern state. But Yan Zi stands nearby, and the plot collapses before it succeeds. The 'three-headed, six-legged' monster evokes a many-headed conspiracy, perhaps an alliance of usurpers plotting to seize a neighboring domain. Yan Zi (Yanzi, 晏子) was the celebrated minister of Qi known for his integrity, frugality, and ability to neutralize threats through sheer moral authority. His mere proximity dissolves the conspiracy. From Oppression to Retreat, heaven stands above the mountain, and the gentleman distances himself from petty men without hostility. The sage does not fight the plotters; he simply withdraws, and they find their schemes have no ground to stand on.
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