Hexagram 40: Deliverance (Xie) – I Ching (Wilhelm)

Hexagram

40. Deliverance · Xie

Structure of the sign

Here movement goes out of danger. The impediment is cleared away, the difficulties are in the process of resolution. Deliverance is not yet completed, but is only just setting in, and its various stages are presented in the hexagram.

The Judgment

Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one should go, returning brings good fortune. If there is still something where one must go, then haste brings good fortune. It is a time when tensions and complications begin to be resolved. In such times, the important thing is to withdraw as soon as possible to ordinary conditions—this is the meaning of the southwest. Such times of change are very important. Just as a liberating rain releases the tension of the atmosphere and causes all buds to burst open, so a time of deliverance from an oppressive burden has a redeeming and stimulating effect on life. But one thing is essential: in such times one must not seek to exaggerate the triumph. One should not advance further than is necessary. As soon as deliverance is achieved, returning to the order of life brings good fortune. If there are still remnants left to be attended to, one should do so as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no delays occur.

The Image

Thunder and rain arise: the image of Deliverance. Thus the superior man pardons mistakes and forgives guilt. A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air. The superior man acts likewise with the mistakes and transgressions of men, which call forth conditions of tension. Through clarity he creates deliverance. But when transgressions are brought to light, he does not dwell upon them; rather, he simply passes over mistakes, the unintentional offenses, just as thunder dies away, and forgives guilt, the intentional transgressions, just as water cleanses everything from dirt.

The lines

Line 1

Without blame. Few words are made, according to the situation. The impediment is past, deliverance is here. One rests in quietness and keeps still. In times when difficulties have just been overcome, this is entirely the right course.

Line 2▶ ruling line

One slays three foxes in the field and receives a yellow arrow. Perseverance furthers. The image is taken from hunting. The hunter catches three cunning foxes and receives a yellow arrow as a reward. The impediments of public life are the false foxes who, as flatterers, seek to influence the ruler. They must be removed before deliverance can set in. But the struggle must not be conducted with false weapons. The yellow color indicates measure and the mean in dealing with adversaries; the arrow points to the straight direction. If one devotes oneself with all one's heart to the task of deliverance, one attains such a power of inner rectitude that it serves as a weapon against all that is false and base.

Line 3

If one carries a burden on the back and yet rides in a carriage, he thereby induces robbers to approach. Perseverance leads to humiliation. A man has emerged from needy circumstances into an easy position, having been freed from distress. If he now, in the manner of an upstart, wishes to take his ease without his inner nature being suited to such easy circumstances, he thereby attracts robbers, and if he continues in this way, he will certainly fall into disgrace. Confucius says of this: 'Carrying a burden on the back is the business of a common man. A carriage is the vehicle of a nobleman. If a common man now uses the vehicle of a nobleman, robbers think of taking it from him. If one is arrogant toward those above and harsh toward those below, robbers think of attacking him. Careless storage tempts robbers to steal. Lavish ornaments on a maiden entice to the robbery of her virtue.'

Line 4

Deliver yourself from your great toe. Then the companion approaches, and him you can trust. In times of standstill, it happens that inferior men attach themselves to a higher man, and through daily habit grow close to him and become indispensable, just as the great toe is to the foot, aiding it in walking. But when the time of deliverance approaches with its call to action, one must free oneself from such chance acquaintances with whom one does not belong in inward spirit. For otherwise, like-minded friends whom one can truly trust and with whom something can be achieved together will stay away full of mistrust.

Line 5▶ ruling line

If only the superior man can deliver himself, it brings good fortune. He thereby proves to the inferior that he is in earnest. Times of deliverance require an inner resolve. Inferior men cannot be removed by prohibitions and external measures. If one wishes to be rid of them, one must first break away from them completely within; then they perceive of themselves that one is in earnest, and they withdraw.

Line 6

The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall. He kills it. Everything furthers. The hawk on a high wall is the image of a powerful inferior man in a high position who obstructs deliverance. He resists the effect of inner influences because he is hardened in his malice. He must be removed by force, and for this the appropriate means are required. Confucius says of this: 'The hawk is the object of the hunt. Bow and arrow are the tools and means. The archer is the man who must rightly employ the means to the end. The superior man holds the means within his person. He bides his time, and then he acts. How then should not all go well? He acts and is free. Therefore he needs only go forth and he slays the prey. So it is with a man who acts after having made ready the means.'

Below ☵ Water (Kan)

Direction: N
Element: Water · Moon
Attributes: Abysmal · Dangerous · Penetrating · Profound
Family: Middle Son

Above ☳ Thunder (Dschen)

Direction: E
Element: Wood · Thunder
Attributes: Arousing · Awakening · Impelling · Moving
Family: Eldest Son