Hexagram 33
遯 Dùn
Retreat
☰ Heaven above ☶ Mountain
Judgment 卦辭
亨。小利貞。
Commentary
Success. In small matters, persistence furthers. Hostile forces advance. This isn't the time to fight—it's the time to withdraw strategically. Retreat isn't flight. Flight is panic; retreat is strength. The key is recognizing the right moment while you still have options. Make the advance difficult through persistent small resistances while preparing your countermove.
Classical Text
遯艮下乾上 遯，亨，小利貞。
Dun (Retreat): Gen below, Qian above. Retreat. Success. Small Benefit in Correctness.
Image 象
天下有山，遯。君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Mountain beneath heaven—the mountain rises but cannot reach heaven's height. Keep the inferior at distance through reserve, not hatred. Hatred binds you to what you hate. Dignified distance stops the advance without creating entanglement.
Lines 爻辭
遯尾厲勿用有攸往
At the tail end of the retreat—dangerous position. Those in back face the pursuing enemy directly. Don't try anything from here. Stillness is the only escape when you're this exposed.
Classical commentary
注云：遯之為義，辟內而之外者也。尾之為物，最在體後者也。處遯之時，不往何災，而為遯尾，禍所及也。危至而後求行，難可免乎厲，則勿用有攸往也。
The note says: The meaning of Retreat is to leave the inner and go to the outer. The tail, as a thing, is what is furthest behind in the body. In the time of Retreat, if one does not go, what disaster could there be? But to be the tail of retreat means calamity will reach one. When danger has arrived and only then does one seek to move, it is difficult to avoid peril, so one should not undertake any ventures.
執之用黃牛之革莫之勝說
Held fast with yellow oxhide—impossible to break free. Someone clings to you with the strength of genuine purpose. Their grip serves what's right. Let them hold; this persistence furthers the small.
Classical commentary
六二，執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
Six in the Second: Hold fast to it with the leather of a yellow ox — none can prevail in loosening it.
係遯有疾厲畜臣妾吉
A halted retreat—nerve-wracking and dangerous. You're held back when you should be withdrawing. Take these clinging people into your service to maintain some initiative. Not ideal, but it's the only way to preserve agency.
Classical commentary
九三，係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
Nine in the Third: Tethered retreat. There is illness and danger. Maintaining servants and concubines — auspicious.
好遯君子吉小人否
Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the capable person, downfall to the dependent. Leaving willingly and friendly requires no violence to your convictions. The one who loses is whoever needed your guidance.
Classical commentary
九四，好遯，君子吉，小人否。
Nine in the Fourth: Graceful retreat. For the superior person — auspicious. For the petty person — blocked.
嘉遯貞吉
Friendly retreat. Recognize the moment to leave while amenities can still be observed. Absolute firmness of decision, but no ugly scenes. Don't be swayed by irrelevant considerations.
Classical commentary
九五，嘉遯，貞吉。
Nine in the Fifth: Admirable retreat. Correctness — auspicious.
肥遯無不利
Cheerful retreat. Inner detachment is complete. No doubt about departure; the way ahead is clear. When you can choose what's right without further thought, everything serves your purpose.
Classical commentary
上九，肥遯，无不利。
Top Nine: Bountiful retreat. Nothing that is not beneficial.