歸妹 → 遯
Hexagram 54: The Marrying Maiden → Hexagram 33: Retreat
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 5 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6).
Line 1
初九 歸妹以娣。跛能履。征吉。
Nine at the beginning means: The marrying maiden as a concubine. A lame man who is able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune.
Line 2
九二 眇能視。利幽人之貞。
Nine in the second place means: A one-eyed man who is able to see. The perseverance of a solitary man furthers.
Line 3
六三 歸妹以須。反歸以娣。
Six in the third place means: The marrying maiden as a slave. She marries as a concubine.
Line 5
六五 帝乙歸妹。其君之袂。不如其娣之袂良。月幾望吉。
Six in the fifth place means: The sovereign I gave his daughter in marriage. The embroidered garments of the princess Were not as gorgeous As those of the serving maid. The moon that is nearly full Brings good fortune.
Line 6
上六 女承筐无實。士刲羊无血。无攸利。
Six at the top means: The woman holds the basket, but there are no fruits in it. The man stabs the sheep, but no blood flows. Nothing that acts to further.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
憂人之患，履悖易顏，為身禍殘。率身自守，與喜相抱，長子成老。封受福祉。
Grieving over others' troubles, treading error, changing one's expression; calamity mars the body. Guarding oneself in discipline, embracing joy — the eldest son grows old. Enfeoffed, he receives blessings.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Thunder over lake gives way to heaven over mountain: the maiden's entanglement meets Retreat's strategic withdrawal. The verse unfolds in two movements: first, worry about others' misfortunes leads to stumbling, facial distortion, and bodily ruin. Then the pivot: guarding oneself with restraint, embracing joy rather than grief, the eldest son grows old in peace, and blessings are received. From the Marrying Maiden to Retreat, heaven above the mountain commands distance from petty entanglements. The gentleman distances himself from small-minded people, stern but not hostile. The verse maps this transition precisely: over-involvement in others' crises destroys the helper, while measured self-preservation sustains both dignity and longevity. Retreat is not cowardice but the discipline of knowing when engagement becomes self-destruction.
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