遯
Hexagram 33 · 遯
Upper trigram: 乾 · Lower trigram: 艮
Dun (Retreat): the hexagram of timely withdrawal. Preserve your purpose, set dignified boundaries, and step back before entanglement grows.
The image
Heaven stands above mountain, the sky remaining beyond the mountain's reach. Firmness keeps its distance as yielding lines advance below. Dun means retreat or withdrawal. The image favors protecting a sound direction through timely separation rather than remaining entangled for appearances.
Judgment
亨。小利貞。
Flourishing. Constancy in small matters is beneficial.
The commentary describes withdrawal that moves with the time instead of abandoning judgment. Leaving an unproductive committee can preserve energy for useful work while remaining courteous about existing responsibilities.
Great Image
天下有山，遯；君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Mountain beneath heaven: Retreat. The exemplary person accordingly keeps petty people at a distance, without hatred but with firmness.
A clear boundary need not carry personal hostility. Declining repeated requests to join workplace gossip can be calm and consistent without becoming another quarrel.
Line texts
Line 1 · 初六
遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。
At the tail of retreat. Danger. Do not undertake a journey.
Six in the first place is yin too far behind a timely withdrawal. The Small Image favors not pressing onward, like pausing a delayed resignation to settle immediate obligations carefully rather than making a panicked move.
Line 2 · 六二
執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
Holding fast with yellow oxhide, which no one can loosen.
Six in the second place is central yin with a firmly secured intention. The Small Image stresses resolve, like maintaining a considered boundary despite repeated attempts to reopen an exhausted discussion.
Line 3 · 九三
係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
Retreat held by ties, with distress and danger. Maintaining male and female servants brings good fortune.
Nine in the third place is yang burdened by attachments that limit larger action. The Small Image permits modest management, like finishing essential handover duties while declining a new project that would prevent departure.
Line 4 · 九四
好遯君子吉，小人否。
Willing retreat brings good fortune to the exemplary person, but not to the petty person.
Nine in the fourth place is yang able to release a valued attachment. The Small Image distinguishes that freedom, like leaving a prestigious role when its conditions no longer permit responsible work.
Line 5 · 九五
嘉遯，貞吉。
An admirable retreat. Constancy brings good fortune.
Nine in the fifth place is central and correctly placed yang preserving its purpose. The Small Image credits upright intention, like a leader arranging an orderly succession without turning departure into a contest.
Line 6 · 上九
肥遯，无不利。
An ample, unencumbered retreat. Nothing is unfavorable.
Nine at the top is yang free from constraining correspondence and hesitation. The Small Image finds no doubt remaining, like completing a handover and allowing a successor to work without continued interference.
When asking about
Career
Withdrawal may preserve useful capacity when conditions become unworkable. Complete essential duties and define the boundary clearly.
Love
Space can help clarify a strained interaction. Communicate the need respectfully instead of disappearing without explanation.
Money
Reducing exposure can be wiser than defending every past commitment. Review obligations before adding further resources.
Home
A pause may cool a repetitive argument. Agree on when to return to the practical issue.
Study
Leaving an ineffective approach can protect the learning goal. Choose a simpler method and give it considered attention.
Health
Stepping back from unnecessary demands can create room for rest. See a doctor for any health concern.
Advice
Recognize when distance serves your purpose better than continued engagement. Withdraw with dignity, settle necessary ties, and avoid making resentment the reason you remain involved.
Related hexagrams
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