Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 遁 (Dùn) |
| English Name | Retreat / Withdrawal |
| Trigrams | Heaven over Mountain (乾上艮下) |
| Number | 33 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Retreat. Success. In what is small, perseverance furthers.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Mountain under heaven: the image of Retreat. Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance, not angrily but with reserve.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | At the tail in retreat. This is dangerous. One must not wish to undertake anything. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
| 六二 | 2nd | He holds him fast with yellow ox hide. No one can tear him loose. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九三 | 3rd | A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as men and maidservants brings good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九四 | 4th | Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man, deterioration to the inferior man. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九五 | 5th | Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 上九 | Top | Cheerful retreat. Everything serves to further. | Step back; the time for advance has not come |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Strategic withdrawal at the right time; strength in knowing when to retreat
- Upper trigram Heaven (creative and strong) over lower trigram Mountain (still and grounding)
- Embodies the qualities of retreat, strategy, timing and boundaries, reserve, dignity
Keywords
RetreatStrategyTimingBoundariesReserveDignity
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Favorable — Strategic
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Strategic withdrawal at the right time; strength in knowing when to retreat Success is possible through timing and boundaries. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance retreat with strategy to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels retreat and strategy. The Heaven trigram above suggests creative and strong energy in your outer dealings, while the Mountain trigram below points to still and grounding foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on lungs and head and hands and back. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody retreat and strategy. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes timing and boundaries. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate retreat in all your actions
- Practice strategy consistently
- Embrace timing as your guiding principle
- Develop boundaries through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of reserve
- Abandon dignity under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 12. Pǐ (否) | Standstill — related withdrawal |
| 44. Gòu (姤) | Coming to Meet — the opposite movement |
| 34. Dà Zhuàng (大壮) | Great Power — what follows retreat |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “Competition is intensifying. Should I exit this market?”
You received Hexagram 33, Retreat. The judgment says: 'Retreat. Success. In what is small, perseverance furthers....' Strategic withdrawal at the right time; strength in knowing when to retreat This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to strategy and timing. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.