Hexagram 40 解 - Jiě / Deliverance
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Trigrams#
- Above: Zhèn, the Arousing, Thunder
- Below: Kǎn, the Abysmal, Water
Movement sets the direction out of danger. The impediment is removed, and the difficulties are resolving. Deliverance is not yet complete; it is just beginning, and its various stages are illustrated in this hexagram.
The Judgment#
Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer any place where one must go, returning brings good fortune. If there is still a place where one must go, speed brings good fortune.
This refers to a time when tensions and complications begin to ease. In such times, one should return to ordinary conditions as soon as possible - this is the meaning of the southwest. These periods of transition are highly important. Just as a liberating rain releases atmospheric tension and causes all buds to burst open, a time of deliverance from an oppressive burden has a freeing and stimulating effect on life. However, one crucial point remains: triumph must not be exaggerated in such times. One should not advance further than necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If any remnants still need clearing up, it should be done as quickly as possible to make a clean sweep and avoid any delays.
The Image#
Thunder and rain arise: The image of Deliverance. Thus the superior man pardons mistakes and forgives misdeeds.
The thunderstorm has a purifying effect on the air. The superior man acts similarly toward people’s mistakes and sins, which create states of tension. He brings deliverance through clarity. When transgressions come to light, he does not dwell on them; he simply passes over faults, which are unintentional errors, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, which are intentional transgressions, just as water cleanses everything from dirt.
The Lines#
Six at the beginning means:#
Without blame.
In keeping with the situation, few words are spoken. The obstruction is past; deliverance has arrived. One recuperates in peace and keeps still. This is precisely the right course of action after surviving difficulties.
Nine in the second place means:#
One kills three foxes in the field and receives a yellow arrow. Perseverance brings good fortune.
The imagery is taken from the hunt. The hunter catches three crafty foxes and receives a yellow arrow as a reward. The obstructions in public life are the deceitful foxes who try to influence the ruler through flattery. They must be removed before deliverance can happen. But the battle must not be fought with improper weapons. The yellow color signifies measure and moderation in proceeding against enemies, while the arrow represents a straight direction. Dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to the task of deliverance brings an inner rectitude so powerful that it acts as a weapon against everything false and vulgar.
Six in the third place means:#
If a man carries a burden on his back and yet rides in a carriage, he thereby encourages robbers to approach. Perseverance leads to humiliation.
A person has risen from poverty into a comfortable position, freed from want. If he now tries to make himself comfortable like an upstart, without his inner character suiting these easy circumstances, he attracts robbers. If he continues in this way, he will certainly bring shame upon himself.
Confucius says about this: “Carrying a burden on the back is the business of a common man. A carriage is the vehicle of a man of rank. Now, if a common man uses the vehicle of a man of rank, robbers think of taking it away from him. If a man is insolent toward those above him and harsh toward those below him, robbers think of attacking him. Careless storage invites robbers to steal. A girl’s lavish adornment entices the robbery of her virtue.”
Nine in the fourth place means:#
Deliver yourself from your great toe. Then the companion approaches, and you can trust him.
In times of stagnation, it happens that inferior people attach themselves to a superior man, and through daily habit, grow close to him and become indispensable, like the great toe to the foot, which eases walking. But when the time of deliverance approaches with its call to action, one must free oneself from such casual acquaintances with whom one does not truly belong. Otherwise, like-minded friends, whom one can actually trust and achieve things together with, will stay away out of mistrust.
Six in the fifth place means:#
If the superior man can only deliver himself, it brings good fortune. He thus proves to inferior men that he is in earnest.
Times of deliverance require inner resolve. Inferior people cannot be removed by prohibitions or external means. To rid oneself of them, one must first completely detach from them inwardly; they will then notice on their own that one is serious and will withdraw.
Six at the top means:#
The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall. He kills it. Everything is favorable.
The hawk on a high wall is the image of a powerful, inferior person in a high position who obstructs deliverance. He resists inner influences because he is hardened in his wickedness. He must be removed by force, which requires the appropriate means.
Confucius says about this: “The hawk is the object of the hunt. Bow and arrow are the tools and means. The marksman is the man who must use the means properly to achieve the purpose. The superior man hides the means within his person. He awaits the right time and then acts. How could everything fail to go well? He acts and is free. Therefore, he only needs to go forth and he captures the prey. This is how it stands with a man who acts after preparing the means.”
Reference links#
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