Hexagram 49 · 革 · gé
Hexagram 49. Gé · Revolution
☱☲ Lake over fire: Duì above, Lí below.
(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.
(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.
The shedding of skin: revolution, renewal, the breaking of an outlived form. Such change is justified only by ripened necessity, never by irritation — and it succeeds when people believe in it. Prepare the change thoroughly, proclaim it on its own day, carry it through clearly: then there will be no regret.
The Image
Fire within the lake: two elements that annul each other — old form and new content cannot coexist. Revolution is justified only by ripened necessity: not by irritation, not by fashion. The craft of change: prepare thoroughly, proclaim on its own day, carry it out so that you are believed — and know in advance what the new norm will be. Change without a new norm is mere destruction.
Interpretation of hexagram 49
XLIX. The Ko Hexagram. Its cool waters cannot be brought to the top. So important is it that the ministers of a country should be able and willing rightly to administer its government. In the account of the ancient Shun it is stated that he once saved his life by an opening in the lining of a well.
The lines of hexagram 49
First line
The first line, undivided, shows its subject (as if he were) bound with the skin of a yellow ox.
Line 3 is a strong line, in its proper place; and must represent an able minister or officer. But though the well is clear, no use is made of it. I do not find anything in the figure that can be con¬ nected with this fact. The author was wise beyond his lines. After the first sentence of the paragraph, the duke of Aau ceases from his function of making emblems ; reflects and moralises.
Second line
The second line, divided, shows its subject making his changes after some time has passed. Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.
Line 4 is weak, but in its proper place. Its subject is not to be condemned, but neither is he to be praised. He takes care of himself, but does nothing for others.
Third line
The third line, undivided, shows that action taken by its subject will be evil. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous. If the change (he contemplates) have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.
Line 5 is strong, and in its right place. The place is that of the ruler, and suggests the well, full of clear water, which is drawn up, and performs its useful work. Such is the good Head of government to his people.
Fourth line
The fourth line, undivided, shows occasion for repentance disappearing (from its subject). Let him be believed in; and though he change (existing) ordinances, there will be good fortune.
Line 6 is in its proper place, but weak. If the general idea of the figure was different, a bad auspice might be drawn from it. But here we see in it the symbol of the water drawn up, and the top uncovered so that the use of the well is free to all. Then the mention of ‘sincerity’ suggests the inexhaustibleness of the elemental supply.
Fifth line
The fifth line, undivided, shows the great man (producing his changes) as the tiger (does when he) changes (his stripes). Before he divines (and proceeds to action), faith has been reposed in him.
XLIX. The character called Ko or Keh is used here in the sense of changing. Originally used for the skin of an animal or bird, alive or dead, it received the significance of changing at a very early time. Its earliest appearance, indeed, in the first Book of the Shfi, is in that sense. How the transition was made from the idea of a skin or hide to that of change is a subject that need not be entered on here. The author has before him the subject of changes occurring—called for—in the state of the country; it may be on the greatest scale. The necessity of them is recognised, and hints are
Top line
The sixth line, divided, shows the superior man producing his changes as the leopard (does when he) changes (his spots), while small men change their faces (and show their obedience). To go forward (now) would lead to evil, but there will be good fortune in abiding firm and correct.
THE TING HEXAGRAM.
Did hexagram 49 come up in your reading? The oracle itself gives the full reading, with changing lines and the second hexagram.
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