Dun 天山遯
A time to step back
For now, avoiding is the wise choice. It isn’t running away; it is a strategic retreat.
What does I Ching hexagram 33 (Retreat) mean?
Heaven withdrawing beneath a mountain, a hexagram of knowing when to retire. For now, avoiding and stepping back is the wise move.
- Retreat in love
- Keeping some distance is the way to protect the relationship.
- Retreat at work and with money
- Don’t fight; step back and preserve your strength.
- Advice
- Retreat is not defeat; it is strategy.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Retreat
Auspicious“Success. A little perseverance is favorable.”
The Image: A mountain beneath heaven: retreat. The noble person keeps petty people at a distance, without hatred but with firmness.
原文 · 亨。小利貞。 / 天下有山，遯；君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
The six lines of hexagram 33
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Caution“At the tail of the retreat: danger. Do not undertake anything.”
You are the last out, so you are the most exposed. Don’t start anything now.
原文 · 遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。
Line 2 · 六二
Neutral“Holding on with a yellow ox’s hide; no one can tear it loose.”
A firm, loyal bond that doesn’t break. Stay tied to the right principle.
原文 · 執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
Line 3 · 九三
No blame“A retreat with strings attached; a sickness, danger. Keeping servants and maids brings good fortune.”
You can’t leave cleanly because of ties. Handle small matters and don’t take on big ones.
原文 · 係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
Line 4 · 九四
Auspicious“A good retreat: good fortune for the noble person; the small person cannot.”
Leaving willingly and gracefully takes character. A principled person can do it.
原文 · 好遯君子吉，小人否。
Line 5 · 九五
Auspicious“A fine retreat; perseverance brings good fortune.”
You withdraw at the right time, in the right way. Excellent.
原文 · 嘉遯，貞吉。
Line 6 · 上九
Auspicious“A generous retreat; nothing is unfavorable.”
A free, unburdened exit. You leave without regrets.
原文 · 肥遯，无不利。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 19. Lin (Approach)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 34. Da Zhuang (Great Power)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.