Hexagram 33: Retreat

Hexagram 33, Retreat (Dùn, 遁), is formed of the upper trigram Heaven (乾) over the lower trigram Mountain (艮). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Heaven describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Mountain describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of Retreat.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 The tail of the retreat — dangerous. Undertake nothing.遁尾，厉，勿用有攸往。
• 六二 · Line 2 Held fast with yellow oxhide — none can tear it loose.执之用黄牛之革，莫之胜说。
• 九三 · Line 3 Entangled retreat: strain and danger. Keeping helpers close still avails.系遁，有疾厉；畜臣妾，吉。
• 九四 · Line 4 Retreat despite fondness: gain for the noble, ruin for the petty.好遁，君子吉，小人否。
• 九五 · Line 5 An admirable retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.嘉遁，贞吉。
• 上九 · Line 6 A soaring, unencumbered retreat: nothing that does not further.肥遁，无不利。

Reading Hexagram 33 for Your Question

When Retreat appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of Retreat to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.