革

Hexagram 49 · 革

Upper trigram: 兌 · Lower trigram: 離

Ge (Revolution): the hexagram of justified change. Establish trust, choose the right moment, and carry reform through without needless upheaval.

The image

The lake lies above fire, placing water and flame in a relationship of mutual alteration. Their competing movements make the existing arrangement unstable. Ge means a change of skin and, by extension, radical reform. The image asks whether change is timely, justified, and supported by understanding.

Judgment

已日乃孚，元亨。利貞。悔亡。

Only when the day has come is there trust. Great beginning and flourishing. Constancy is beneficial. Regret disappears.

The commentary connects legitimate change with clarity, willing response, and appropriate timing. Replacing an old workplace system often needs a convincing reason and a usable alternative before people can trust the transition.

Great Image

澤中有火，革；君子以治歷明時。

Fire within the lake: Revolution. The exemplary person accordingly orders the calendar and makes the seasons clear.

Good change depends on recognizing distinct phases. A school revising its curriculum can prepare, introduce, and review the new material instead of treating every stage as equally ready for action.

Line texts

  1. Line 1 · 初九

    鞏用黃牛之革。

    Bound firmly with yellow oxhide.

    Nine in the first place is yang held back before reform is timely. The Small Image says action is not yet possible, like gathering evidence for a proposed change before asking colleagues to abandon a familiar system.

  2. Line 2 · 六二

    已日乃革之，征吉，无咎。

    When the day has come, make the change. Advancing brings good fortune, without blame.

    Six in the second place is central and correct yin corresponding with the fifth yang. The Small Image approves action then, like beginning a transition once training, agreement, and practical support are ready.

  3. Line 3 · 九三

    征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚。

    Advancing brings misfortune; constancy carries danger. When talk of reform has been confirmed three times, there is trust.

    Nine in the third place is yang pressing toward change at a sensitive threshold. The Small Image values repeated confirmation, like testing a proposal through several serious discussions rather than assuming the first enthusiastic response is enough.

  4. Line 4 · 九四

    悔亡，有孚改命，吉。

    Regret disappears. With trust, changing the mandate brings good fortune.

    Nine in the fourth place is yang able to carry a supported reform into action. The Small Image credits confidence in its purpose, like a project lead implementing a reviewed plan whose reasons are understood by the team.

  5. Line 5 · 九五

    大人虎變，未占有孚。

    The great person changes like a tiger. Trust is present before any inquiry.

    Nine in the fifth place is central and correct yang making change visibly coherent. The Small Image praises the tiger's clear pattern, like a leader whose consistent example makes the new standards understandable without repeated persuasion.

  6. Line 6 · 上六

    君子豹變，小人革面，征凶，居貞吉。

    The exemplary person changes like a leopard; the petty person changes the face. Advancing brings misfortune. Remaining constant brings good fortune.

    Six at the top is yin at reform's completion, where different depths of acceptance appear. The Small Image distinguishes refined change from outward compliance, like allowing new procedures to settle rather than launching another upheaval immediately.

When asking about

Career

A substantial reform may need both evidence and timing. Build trust and prepare the replacement before removing the old arrangement.

Love

Changing a relationship pattern often needs mutual understanding. Show the new conduct rather than relying on a declaration alone.

Money

A major revision deserves careful preparation. Understand transition costs and avoid change merely for novelty.

Home

New household arrangements can work when everyone knows the reasons. Allow time for the revised routine to settle.

Study

An ineffective method may need replacement. Test a better approach and keep it long enough to assess fairly.

Health

Changes to daily rhythm tend to be easier with preparation and realistic pacing. See a doctor for any health concern.

Advice

Make change worthy of trust before asking others to follow it. Act when preparation and timing meet, then give the new arrangement time to become dependable.

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Reference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.