Hexagram 49
Reform
革 · gé
- Upper trigram
- 兌 · lake
- Lower trigram
- 離 · fire
Judgement
革：已日乃孚，元亨，利貞，悔亡。
(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.
James Legge, 1882
Lines · bottom to top
- Line 1 初九
初九：鞏用黃牛之革。
The first line, undivided, shows its subject (as if he were) bound with the skin of a yellow ox.
- Line 2 六二
六二：已日乃革之，征吉，无咎。
The second line, divided, shows its subject making his changes after some time has passed. Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.
- Line 3 九三
九三：征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚。
The third line, 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.
- Line 4 九四
九四：悔亡，有孚改命，吉。
The fourth line, 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.
- Line 5 九五
九五：大人虎變，未占有孚。
The fifth line, 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.
- Line 6 上六
上六：君子豹變，小人革面，征凶，居貞吉。
The sixth line, 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.