Hexagram 43. Resolution (夬 Guài)

Trigrams

Above

☱ Duì (Lake) — 澤 · Open

Below

☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative

Symbolic Meaning

夬 (Guài) describes resolution—pressure has accumulated to a point where it must be released through decisive action.

Lake above heaven shows upward pressure exceeding containment. The system can no longer hold what has built up. A clear break or declaration becomes necessary.

Judgment

Original Chinese:
夬，揚于王庭，孚號有厲，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。
(Guài, yáng yú wáng tíng, fú hào yǒu lì, gào zì yì, bù lì jí róng, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)

"Resolution. It is proclaimed in the court of the governing authority. Risk present. It is announced from one's own city. It is not favorable to engage in armed confrontation. It is favorable to move with direction."

Accumulated pressure requires explicit resolution. The issue cannot remain internal and must be declared.

However, escalation into conflict is not the correct path. The system resolves through clarity and decisive direction, not aggression.

Image

Original Chinese:
澤上于天，夬。君子以施祿及下，居德則忌。
(Zé shàng yú tiān, guài. Jūn zǐ yǐ shī lù jí xià, jū dé zé jì.)

"The lake rises to heaven: resolution. The superior person extends benefits below and remains wary of resting on virtue alone."

When accumulation surpasses structural limits, release becomes unavoidable.

Proper resolution distributes what has built up rather than allowing rupture. Balance is restored by discharge, not suppression.

Line 1

Original Chinese:
壯于前趾，往不勝為咎。
(Zhuàng yú qián zhǐ, wǎng bù shèng wéi jiù.)

"Force is applied prematurely. Advancing without capacity leads to error."

Initial momentum appears before sufficient strength is established.

Acting too early leads to failure. Timing must match actual capability.

Line 2

Original Chinese:
惕號，莫夜有戎，勿恤。
(Tì hào, mò yè yǒu róng, wù xù.)

"Awareness and signaling are maintained. Potential disturbance arises, but concern is unnecessary."

The system detects risk but remains stable. Preparedness replaces panic.

Alertness prevents escalation without requiring immediate action.

Line 3

Original Chinese:
壯于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，獨行遇雨，若濡有慍，無咎。
(Zhuàng yú kuí, yǒu xiōng. Jūn zǐ guài guài, dú xíng yù yǔ, ruò rú yǒu yùn, wú jiù.)

"Force becomes excessive: unfavorable outcome. The superior person remains decisively resolute. Walking alone, one meets rain and is dampened with irritation, yet there is no error."

Overextension creates instability, yet action still must be taken.

Proceeding alone through adverse conditions may cause friction, but the action remains correct.

Line 4

Original Chinese:
臀无膚，其行次且，牽羊悔亡，聞言不信。
(Tún wú fū, qí xíng cì qiě, qiān yáng huǐ wáng, wén yán bù xìn.)

"Movement is hindered and uncomfortable. Drawing the sheep along, regret resolves. Guidance is heard but not trusted."

The system struggles to proceed due to internal resistance.

Corrective action is available, but failure to trust input delays resolution.

Line 5

Original Chinese:
苋陸夬夬，中行无咎。
(Xiàn lù guài guài, zhōng xíng wú jiù.)

"Decisiveness is maintained with balance. No error."

Firm resolution is required, but must remain centered.

Balanced decisiveness prevents overcorrection.

Line 6

Original Chinese:
无號，終有凶。
(Wú hào, zhōng yǒu xiōng.)

"Failure to declare or signal leads to unfavorable outcome."

If the necessary resolution is not communicated, pressure remains unresolved.

Suppression instead of expression leads to eventual failure.