49/ 革 / ䷰ / Revolution
the judgement
REVOLUTION. On your own day
You are believed.
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.
the image
Fire in the lake: the image of REVOLUTION.
Thus the superior man
Sets the calendar in order
And makes the seasons clear.
the lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow.
Six in the second place means:
When one’s own day comes, one may create revolution.
Starting brings good fortune. No blame.
Nine in the third place means:
Starting brings misfortune.
Perseverance brings danger.
When talk of revolution has gone the rounds three times,
One may commit himself,
And men will believe him.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Remorse disappears. Men believe him.
Changing the form of government brings good fortune.
Nine in the fifth place means:
The great man changes like a tiger.
Even before he questions the oracle
He is believed.
Six at the top means:
The superior man changes like a panther.
The inferior man molts in the face.
Starting brings misfortune.
To remain persevering brings good fortune.
49/ 革 / ䷰ / The Ko Hexagram
Explanation of the entire figure by king Wăn
(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success.
Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.
Explanation of the separate lines by the duke of Kâu
The first NINE, undivided,
shows its subject (as if he were) bound with the skin of a yellow ox.
The second SIX, divided,
shows its subject making his changes after some time has passed.
Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.
The third NINE, undivided,
shows that action taken by its subject will be evil. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous.
If the change (he contemplates) have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.
The fourth NINE, undivided,
shows occasion for repentance disappearing (from its subject). Let him be believed in;
and though he change (existing) ordinances, there will be good fortune.
The fifth NINE, undivided,
shows the great man (producing his changes) as the tiger (does when he) changes (his stripes).
Before he divines (and proceeds to action), faith has been reposed in him.
The sixth SIX, divided,
shows the superior man producing his changes as the leopard (does when he) changes (his spots), while small
men change their faces (and show their obedience). To go forward (now) would lead to evil, but there will be good fortune in abiding firm and correct.
49/ 革 / ䷰ / Abolishing the Old
decision
Proper day.
Upon it obtain confidence from people.
Supremely prosperous and smooth.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Regret vanishes.
commentary on the symbol
Fire in the midst of the Lake.
An image of Abolishing the Old.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person watches the changes of planets
And sets the calendar in order,
Making the time of the seasons clear.
yao text (the lines)
Initial Nine
Bound with the hide of a yellow ox.
Second Nine
Proper day.
Upon it abolish the old.
Moving forward: good fortune.
No fault.
Third Nine
Moving forward: misfortune.
Being steadfast: adversity.
Declaring to abolish the old three times,
Being sincere and truthful.
Fourth Nine
Regret vanishes.
Be sincere and truthful;
Change the old.
Good fortune.
Fifth Nine
Great person
Changes like a tiger.
No need to divine;
There is sincerity and truthfulness.
Top Six
Superior person
Changes like a panther
Petty fellows
Changes faces.
Moving forward: misfortune.
Abide in being steadfast and upright:
Good fortune.