遯
Retreat
La Retraite
Dùn
Upper trigram
Heaven
Lower trigram
Mountain
The Judgment
Retreat. Success. In small matters, perseverance is advantageous.
The Image
Under heaven is the mountain: the image of Retreat. Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance, not with anger but with reserve.
Meaning
Strategic withdrawal, the wisdom of stepping back. The moment is not for advance but for calculated retreat. To withdraw is not to flee; it is to preserve.
The six lines
Line 1 (bottom)
At the tail of the retreat. This is dangerous. One should undertake nothing.
Line 2
He holds it fast with yellow oxhide. No one can tear it away.
Line 3
A hampered retreat is painful and dangerous. Keeping servants and maidservants brings good fortune.
Line 4
Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man and ruin to the inferior man.
Line 5
Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 6 (top)
Serene retreat. Everything is advantageous.