Hexagram 49 of 64

Gé — Shedding the Skin

泽火革 · Legge: Ko · Lake above, Fire below

Shedding the skin: a change is believed in only after it is done, so be firm and let the regret pass.

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The Judgment

Gé is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. Occasion for repentance will disappear.

Legge’s 1882 translation

(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 Image

XLIX. (The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and that for fire in the midst of them form Ko. The superior man, in accordance with this, regulates his (astronomical) calculations, and makes clear the seasons and times.

泽中有火,革;君子以治历明时。

The Six Lines

The first nine · 初九

The first line, undivided, shows its subject bound with the skin of a yellow ox.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first nine, undivided, shows its subject (as if he were) bound with the skin of a yellow ox.

The second six · 六二

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.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second six, divided, shows its subject making his changes after some time has passed. Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.

The third nine · 九三

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 have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third nine, 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.

The fourth nine · 九四

The fourth line, undivided, shows occasion for repentance disappearing. Let him be believed in; and though he change ordinances, there will be good fortune.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth nine, 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.

The fifth nine · 九五

The fifth line, undivided, shows the great man as the tiger changes. Before he divines, faith has been reposed in him.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth nine, 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.

The topmost six · 上六

The sixth line, divided, shows the superior man producing his changes as the leopard changes, while small men change their faces. To go forward would lead to evil, but there will be good fortune in abiding firm and correct.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The sixth six, 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.

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