Hexagram 24 of 64

Return復

Thunder within the earth. At the solstice the early kings closed the passes. Merchants did not travel, and the ruler did not tour the regions.

Upper
Earth
Lower
Thunder
Order
24 / 64
Pick a line to read it

亨。出入无疾，朋來无咎。反復其道，七日來復，利有攸往。

Judgment: Success. Going out and coming in bring no harm. Friends come, with no fault. The way turns back on itself, and in seven days it returns. It helps to go forward.

雷在地中，復；先王以至日閉關，商旅不行，后不省方。

Image: Thunder within the earth. At the solstice the early kings closed the passes. Merchants did not travel, and the ruler did not tour the regions.

In plain words

The situation: The low point has passed and things begin to return.

What you can do: Start again from small steps and take your time.

For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.

The six lines

  1. 上六迷復，凶，有災眚。用行師，終有大敗，以其國君，凶；至于十年，不克征。A lost return. Misfortune, and disaster. If you march an army, it ends in great defeat, and the ruler of the state meets misfortune. For ten years there is no campaign.In shortLost and refusing to turn back is very unfavorable; forcing ahead brings heavy setbacks that take long to recover from.
  2. 六五敦復，无悔。A generous return. No regret.In shortReturn to the right track sincerely and steadily; you will have no regrets.
  3. 六四中行獨復。Walking the middle way, returning alone.In shortAmong the crowd, you alone choose to return to the right path; keep to your course.
  4. 六三頻復，厲无咎。Returning again and again. Danger, but no fault.In shortYou keep slipping and coming back; it is risky, but returning keeps you clear of real trouble.
  5. 六二休復，吉。A graceful return. Good fortune.In shortReturn calmly to the right path, following good examples; this works well.
  6. 初九不遠復，无祗悔，元吉。Returning after a short way. No great regret. Great good fortune.In shortTurn back before you stray far; no big regret follows, and this is very favorable.

Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.