Hexagram 49: Revolution (Molting)
Hexagram
49. Revolution (Molting) · Ge
Structure of the sign
The hexagram originally signifies an animal's pelt, which changes in the course of the year through molting. From this, the term is applied by extension to the moltings in political life, the great revolutions associated with a change of government. The two figures composing the hexagram are, as in K'ui, 'Opposition' (No. 38), the two younger daughters, Li and Dui. But whereas there the elder of the two stands above, resulting essentially only in an opposition of tendencies, here the younger is above, and their operations contend against one another; the forces combat each other like fire and water (the lake), each striving to destroy the other. Hence the concept of revolution.
The Judgment
Revolution. On one's own day, you find belief. Sublime success, furthering through perseverance. Remorse disappears. Political revolutions are an exceedingly grave matter. One must undertake them only in the direst emergency, when no other recourse remains. Not everyone is called to it, but only he who commands the confidence of the people, and even he only when the time is fulfilled. One must proceed in the right way, so that one brings joy to the people and averts excesses through enlightenment. Furthermore, one must be wholly free of selfish motives and must genuinely relieve the distress of the people. Only then does one have nothing to regret. Times change, and with them their requirements. Thus the seasons change in the course of the year. So too in the world-year there are spring and autumn of peoples and nations, which demand social reorganizations.
The Image
Fire in the lake: the image of Revolution. Thus the superior man sets the calendar in order and makes the seasons clear. Fire below and the lake above contend with and destroy each other. Thus in the course of the year there also takes place a struggle between the light and the dark forces, which works itself out in the revolutions of the seasons. Man masters the changes of nature when he recognizes their regularity and divides the course of time accordingly. Thereby order and clarity enter into the seemingly chaotic change of the seasons, and one can adapt oneself beforehand to the requirements of the various times.
The lines
Line 1
One is wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow. Changes may be undertaken only when it is no longer possible to do otherwise. Therefore, utmost restraint is necessary at first. One must become wholly firm within, moderate oneself—yellow is the color of the middle, the cow is the symbol of docility—and for the present undertake nothing; for every premature stroke brings evil consequences.
Line 2
On one's own day, one may effect revolution. Setting forth brings good fortune. No blame. When one has attempted everything to reform conditions without success, the necessity of a revolution arises. Yet such a profound transformation must be well prepared. There must be a man present who possesses both the abilities and the public confidence. To such a man one may then turn. This brings good fortune and is not a fault. At first it is only a matter of one's inner stance toward the new that must come. One must, as it were, go to meet it. Only thus is it prepared.
Line 3
Setting forth brings misfortune. Perseverance brings danger. When talk of revolution has gone round three times, one may turn to it and will find belief. When change is necessary, there are two errors to be avoided. The one is hasty and reckless action, which brings misfortune. The other is over-conservative hesitation, which is likewise dangerous. One must not listen to every voice crying for change in the established order. Yet neither should one overlook repeated and well-grounded complaints. When the word of change comes to one thrice and one has carefully weighed it, one may place faith in it and act upon it. Then one will find belief and achieve something.
Line 4
Remorse disappears. One finds belief. Changing the constitution of the state brings good fortune. Radical upheavals require the necessary authority. Both the inner strength of character and the influential position must be present. What one does must correspond to a higher truth and must not spring from arbitrary or petty motives; then it brings great good fortune. When no such inner truth underlies a revolution, it is always of evil and attains no success. For men ultimately support only such undertakings for whose inner justice they have an instinctive feeling.
Line 5▶ ruling line
The great man changes like a tiger. Even before he consults the oracle, he finds belief. A tiger skin with its clearly visible black stripes upon a yellow ground is distinctly patterned and visible from afar. So it is with revolutions brought to pass by a great man: great, clear guidelines become visible, which everyone can understand. Thus he does not need to consult the oracle first, for the people turn to him spontaneously.
Line 6
The superior man changes like a panther. The inferior man molts in the face. Setting forth brings misfortune. Remaining in perseverance brings good fortune. After the great fundamental questions are resolved, detailed transformations and more exact implementations are still necessary. These are to be compared with the likewise distinct, yet smaller spots of the panther's pelt. Among the inferior men, too, a change takes place in consequence. They likewise molt in accordance with the new order. To be sure, this molting is not deep-seated, but that is not to be expected. One must be content with what is possible. If one wished to go too far and achieve too much, it would result in unrest and misfortune. For what is to be sought through a great revolution is clear, consolidated conditions that afford a general tranquility within the limits of what is presently possible.
Below ☲ Fire (Li)
- Direction
- S
- Element
- Fire · Sun · Light
- Attributes
- Clarifying · Luminous · Clinging · Conscious · Beautiful
- Family
- Middle Daughter
Above ☱ Lake (Dui)
- Direction
- W
- Element
- Lake · Metal
- Attributes
- Joyous · Cheerful · Open · Contented · Abundant
- Family
- Youngest Daughter