All hexagrams · ← 48 · 50 →
革 49 · Gé · Molting
Lake over Fire — upper Duì 兌 (joyous, open, exchanging); lower Lí 離 (clinging, radiant, clarifying)
Hexagram 49, Molting (Gé, 革), is Lake over Fire. Fire within the lake. Revolution: changing the skin.
The situation
Fire within the lake. Revolution: changing the skin.
The counsel
Change only when needed and when others believe in you. On your own day, act.
The six lines
Line 1 — Wrapped in yellow oxhide. Do not act yet.
Line 2 — When your day comes, change. Good.
Line 3 — Hasty change brings misfortune. When talk of change has come three times, act.
Line 4 — Remorse disappears; trusted. Change the form of things.
Line 5 — The great one changes like a tiger. Trusted before asking.
Line 6 — The noble changes like a panther; the petty change their faces. Persist by staying.