I Ching hexagram · 33 of 64
Hexagram 33: Retreat 遁 Dùn · Retreat, timing, self-preservation
Strategic retreat. Withdraw in time to preserve your strength. Success. In small matters perseverance brings benefit.
- Upper: ☰ Heaven
- Lower: ☶ Mountain
- Nuclear: 44
- Opposite: 19
Number
33 of 64
Chinese name
遁 Dùn
Upper trigram
☰ Heaven
Lower trigram
☶ Mountain
Nuclear hexagram
䷫ 44. Coming to Meet
Opposite hexagram
䷒ 19. Approach
What hexagram 33 means
Hexagram 33 shows two yin lines rising from below as the yang lines withdraw upwards, like a sky that seems to retreat above a mountain. It describes a time when dark forces are advancing and a strategic withdrawal is wise.
Retreat is not defeat or flight. Withdraw in good time, with dignity and without hostility, preserving your strength so you can return when conditions change.
The Judgement · 卦辞
遯：亨，小利贞。
Success. In small matters perseverance brings benefit.
The Image · 象曰
天下有山，遯；君子以远小人，不恶而严。
A mountain under heaven: the image of retreat. The noble person keeps petty people at a distance, not angrily but with reserve.
The lines and trigrams
Retreat places ☰ Heaven (乾 Qián), the trigram of strength and creative power, above ☶ Mountain (艮 Gèn), the trigram of stillness and restraint. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 33 in your life
Love and relationships
Step back from conflict or an unhealthy dynamic. Space can protect you both; don't cling or argue.
Personal growth
Knowing when to walk away is a skill. Protect your energy and your boundaries.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 33 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
Retreating at the tail. Danger; don't try to undertake anything.
Line 2 六二 · Six in the second place
Held fast with yellow oxhide. A bond so firm it cannot be broken: loyalty to the right cause.
Line 3 九三 · Nine in the third place
A retreat that is held back is distressing and dangerous. Use those who cling to you as helpers; good fortune.
Line 4 九四 · Nine in the fourth place
Voluntary retreat. Good fortune for the noble person, ruin for the petty one.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
Friendly retreat. Withdrawing courteously at the right time brings good fortune.
Line 6 上九 · Nine at the top
Cheerful retreat. Everything furthers.
Hexagram 33 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 33 mean?
Hexagram 33, Retreat (遁 Dùn), is about retreat, timing, self-preservation. Strategic retreat. Withdraw in time to preserve your strength. Hexagram 33 shows two yin lines rising from below as the yang lines withdraw upwards, like a sky that seems to retreat above a mountain. It describes a time when dark forces are advancing and a strategic withdrawal is wise.
What does hexagram 33 mean in love?
Step back from conflict or an unhealthy dynamic. Space can protect you both; don't cling or argue.
What does hexagram 33 mean for work and money?
Withdraw from losing battles, reduce your exposure or step back from a toxic environment. Preserve your resources for later.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 33?
Hexagram 33 has Heaven (Qián) as its upper trigram and Mountain (Gèn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 33?
Its nuclear hexagram is 44, Coming to Meet. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 19, Approach. Turned upside down it becomes 34, Great Power.
All 64 hexagrams
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