Ge
Necessary Transformation
When you receive Hexagram 49, Ge, the I Ching turns your attention to necessary transformation. Revolution. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Revolution. It is believed in only after it has been accomplished. Great progress and success. Advantage in being firm and correct. Occasion for regret disappears.
Classical (Legge)Ko (What takes place as indicated by it) 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.
The Image
Fire within the lake. Ge. One who is centered regulates the calendar and makes clear the seasons and times.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and that for fire in the midst of them form Ko. The superior man, in accordance with this, regulates his (astronomical) calculations, and makes clear the seasons and times.
The Changing Lines
Bound with the skin of a yellow ox.
Classical (Legge)(For purposes of change) he is bound with (the skin of) a yellow ox.
He makes his changes after some time has passed. Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.
Classical (Legge)He makes his changes after some time has passed. Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.
Action taken will be misfortune. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous. If the change he contemplates has been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.
Classical (Legge)Action taken (by the subject of this line) 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.
Occasion for regret disappears. He is believed in, and the change he contemplates will be fortunate.
Classical (Legge)Occasion for repentance disappears. He is believed in, and the change (of government which he contemplates) will be fortunate.
The great one produces his changes as the tiger changes its stripes. Before he divines and proceeds to action, faith has been reposed in him.
Classical (Legge)The great man produces 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 centered one produces his changes as the leopard changes its spots. Small people change their faces and show their obedience. To go forward now would lead to misfortune, but firm and correct will secure good fortune.
Classical (Legge)The superior man produces his changes as the leopard (does when he) changes (his spots). Small men change their faces (and show their obedience). To go forward (now) would lead to evil. But firmness and correctness will secure good fortune.
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