Hexagram 33 of 64
Retreat
遯 Dùn
Upper trigram: 乾 Qián, heaven
Lower trigram: 艮 Gèn, mountain
The judgment
亨。小利貞。
Success. It is fitting in small matters to hold firm.
The Great Image
天下有山，遯；君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Under heaven there is a mountain: Retreat. In the same way, the noble person keeps the petty person at a distance, without hatred and with strictness.
The six lines
Lines are counted from the bottom. Read a line closely when it changes in your cast.
Line 1 初六
遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。
Retreating at the tail. Danger. Do not try to go anywhere.
Being last out of a place puts you at the tail, the danger point. Consider whether this is the moment to stay still and avoid going anywhere.
Line 2 六二
執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
Bound with the hide of a yellow ox. No one can loosen it.
Ox hide makes a bond no one can loosen. Ask what you are holding to firmly even as others are leaving, and whether it should stay tied.
Line 3 九三
係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
A tied retreat. There is sickness and danger. Keeping servants and concubines brings good fortune.
A retreat tied down by obligations is stressful and risky, and the old text speaks of keeping servants and concubines, a household order we do not commend. Ask what ties are slowing your exit and how you could treat those who depend on you fairly as you go.
Line 4 九四
好遯君子吉，小人否。
A retreat in good grace. For the noble person, good fortune. For the petty person, none.
The line allows leaving on good terms even when you like the place. Consider whether you could go without a quarrel, and what holds you back if you cannot.
Line 5 九五
嘉遯，貞吉。
An admirable retreat. Holding firm brings good fortune.
This retreat is admired because it is well timed and well done. Ask what would make your leaving something others could respect.
Line 6 上九
肥遯，无不利。
An ample retreat. Nothing is unfavorable.
By the top line, retreat has become roomy and easy. Consider what your life could hold once you are no longer tied to the contest you left.
What this hexagram says
This hexagram is mountain below and heaven above, with two broken lines rising under four solid ones. Heaven draws back as the mountain climbs. It stands for a timely withdrawal from something that is gaining ground.
The judgment allows success and limits what is fitting to small matters. Stepping back at the right time keeps your strength for later. Ask what you are still contesting out of habit.
If your question is about leaving a role, a conflict or a group that has changed, tradition reads this as a time to withdraw in good order. The image says to keep the petty person at a distance without hatred, and the lower lines caution against being the last out or leaving while still tied down.
A hexagram is a prompt for reflection. It cannot promise a result, and it is no substitute for medical, legal or financial advice.
Where this text comes from
The Chinese follows the Wikisource text of the Zhou Yi (its page for this hexagram, 周易/遯), compared with the Project Gutenberg edition. The Great Image comes from the Wikisource page 周易/大象.
- Wikisource, 周易
Retrieved 2026-11-08
- Project Gutenberg eBook 25501, 易經
Retrieved 2026-11-08
Read this hexagram with its traditional commentaries in our library.
The English renderings and the advice are by Cast & Chart. The advice is a modern reading and is not part of the classical text.