Hexagram 40 of 64

Deliverance解

Thunder and rain arrive. The noble person forgives mistakes and pardons wrongs.

Upper
Thunder
Lower
Water
Order
40 / 64
Pick a line to read it

利西南，无所往，其來復吉。有攸往，夙吉。

Judgment: The southwest helps. If there is nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. If there is somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.

雷雨作，解；君子以赦過宥罪。

Image: Thunder and rain arrive. The noble person forgives mistakes and pardons wrongs.

In plain words

The situation: The knot begins to loosen.

What you can do: Deal with things quickly and let old grudges go.

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

The six lines

  1. 上六公用射隼，于高墉之上，獲之，无不利。The duke shoots a hawk on a high wall and takes it. Nothing fails.In shortThe time is right to remove the obstacle at the top in one move; everything benefits.
  2. 六五君子維有解，吉；有孚于小人。The noble person finds release. Good fortune. Even small people come to trust.In shortYou can untie the knot yourself; it goes well, and even petty people come round.
  3. 九四解而拇，朋至斯孚。Release your big toe. Friends then come, and trust follows.In shortShake off the ties dragging you down, and true friends come to trust you.
  4. 六三負且乘，致寇至，貞吝。Carrying a load while riding in a carriage draws robbers. Steadiness brings regret.In shortShowing off beyond your place invites trouble; keep it up and it turns awkward.
  5. 九二田獲三狐，得黃矢，貞吉。Three foxes are caught in the field, and a yellow arrow is won. Steadiness brings good fortune.In shortClear out hidden troublemakers and stay upright; it goes well.
  6. 初六无咎。No fault.In shortThe trouble is just easing; no real problem, so rest and recover.

Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.