49. Revolution (革 Gé)

Trigrams

Above

☱ Dùi (Lake)

Below

☲ Lí (Fire)

Symbolic Meaning

革 (Gé) represents revolution or transformation. This hexagram speaks of a time when radical change is necessary to achieve progress. Success comes from carefully timing and executing the transformation with proper support and preparation.

Judgment

Original Chinese:
"革，己日乃孚。元亨，利貞，悔亡。"
(Gé, jǐ rì nǎi fú. Yuán hēng, lì zhēn, huǐ wáng.)

"Revolution. On your own day, you are believed. Supreme success. Perseverance brings good fortune. Regret disappears."

This hexagram advises a time of transformation, where change is necessary for progress. Success comes from careful planning and executing the change at the right time. By remaining persistent and committed, any regrets or doubts will fade away.

Image

Original Chinese:
"澤中有火，革。君子以治曆明時。"
(Zé zhōng yǒu huǒ, gé. Jūn zǐ yǐ zhì lì míng shí.)

"Fire in the lake: The image of Revolution. The superior person sets the calendar and makes the seasons clear."

The image of fire in the lake symbolizes the potential for transformation that lies within a stable situation. The superior person, like the fire in the lake, knows when it is time for change and sets the right timing for transformation, ensuring progress.

Line 1

Original Chinese:
"鞏用黃牛之革。"
(Gǒng yòng huáng niú zhī gé.)

"Tying the yellow cowhide for strength."

This line describes preparing for change by strengthening one’s position, symbolized by the yellow cowhide. It advises reinforcing one's foundations before attempting a transformation.

Line 2

Original Chinese:
"己日乃革之，征吉，无咎。"
(Jǐ rì nǎi gé zhī, zhēng jí, wú jiù.)

"On your own day, the change is made. Going forward brings good fortune. No blame."

This line emphasizes the importance of proper timing. The transformation must happen on 'your own day'—the right time for you. When the timing is correct, moving forward brings good fortune, and there is no blame.

Line 3

Original Chinese:
"征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚。"
(Zhēng xiōng, zhēn lì, gé yán sān jiù, yǒu fú.)

"Going forward brings misfortune. Perseverance brings danger. The change is spoken of three times, and then there is sincerity."

This line warns of acting too hastily in making a change. It advises waiting for clarity and consensus (symbolized by the three discussions) before proceeding with sincerity. Patience ensures the transformation is successful.

Line 4

Original Chinese:
"悔亡，有孚改命，吉。"
(Huǐ wáng, yǒu fú gǎi mìng, jí.)

"Regret disappears. With sincerity, the mandate is changed. Good fortune."

This line speaks of a successful transformation where old regrets fade away. By acting with sincerity, the mandate or authority is changed, bringing good fortune. It advises approaching change with integrity and care.

Line 5

Original Chinese:
"大人虎變，未占有孚。"
(Dàrén hǔ biàn, wèi zhān yǒu fú.)

"The great person changes like a tiger. Before consulting the oracle, there is already trust."

This line describes a person of great influence who can effect change effortlessly, like a tiger changing its stripes. Their strength and integrity inspire trust, even before seeking confirmation or advice. It advises confident, bold action.

Line 6

Original Chinese:
"君子豹變，小人革面，征凶，居貞吉。"
(Jūn zǐ bào biàn, xiǎo rén gé miàn, zhēng xiōng, jū zhēn jí.)

"The superior person changes like a leopard. The inferior person changes their face. Going forward brings misfortune. Remaining firm brings good fortune."

This line contrasts the true, natural change of the superior person (symbolized by the leopard’s spots) with the superficial change of the inferior person (changing their face). It warns against insincere or false transformations. Remaining firm in one’s values brings good fortune.