Hexagram 40 of 64

Xiè — Release and Thaw

雷水解 · Legge: Kieh · Thunder above, Water below

The thaw: come back rather than push on, and if action is needed, take it early and lightly.

releaserecoverytiming

The Judgment

In Xiè advantage will be found in the south-west. If no operations be called for, there will be good fortune in coming back. If some operations be called for, there will be good fortune in the early conducting of them.

Legge’s 1882 translation

In (the state indicated by) Kieh advantage will be found in the south-west. If no (further) operations be called for, there will be good fortune in coming back (to the old conditions). If some operations be called for, there will be good fortune in the early conducting of them.

The Image

XL. (The trigram representing) thunder and that for rain, with these phenomena in a state of manifestation, form Kieh. The superior man, in accordance with this, forgives errors, and deals gently with crimes.

雷雨作,解;君子以赦过宥罪。

The Six Lines

The first six · 初六

The first line, divided, shows that its subject will commit no error.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first six, divided, shows that its subject will commit no error.

The second nine · 九二

The second line, undivided, shows its subject catch, in hunting, three foxes, and obtain the yellow arrows. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second nine, undivided, shows its subject catch, in hunting, three foxes, and obtain the yellow (=golden) arrows. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.

The third six · 六三

The third line, divided, shows a porter with his burden, yet riding in a carriage. He will only tempt robbers to attack him. However firm and correct he may try to be, there will be cause for regret.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third six, divided, shows a porter with his burden, (yet) riding in a carriage. He will (only) tempt robbers to attack him. However firm and correct he may (try to) be, there will be cause for regret.

The fourth nine · 九四

The fourth line, undivided, 'Remove your toes. Friends will come, between you and whom there will be mutual confidence.'

Legge’s 1882 translation

(To the subject of) the fourth nine, undivided, (it is said), 'Remove your toes. Friends will (then) come, between you and whom there will be mutual confidence.'

The fifth six · 六五

The fifth line, divided, shows, the superior man, executing his function of removing, in which case there will be good fortune, and confidence in him will be shown even by the small men.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth six, divided, shows (its subject), the superior man (=the ruler), executing his function of removing (whatever is injurious to the idea of the hexagram), in which case there will be good fortune, and confidence in him will be shown even by the small men.

The topmost six · 上六

In the sixth line, divided, we see a feudal prince with his bow shooting at a falcon on the top of a high wall, and hitting it. The effect of his action will be in every way advantageous.

Legge’s 1882 translation

In the sixth six, divided, we see a feudal prince (with his bow) shooting at a falcon on the top of a high wall, and hitting it. (The effect of his action) will be in every way advantageous.

Bring your own question. Top Choice performs the traditional yarrow-stalk casting and reads the classic for your situation — the app is coming soon to the App Store.

Support & FAQ →

Privacy· Terms· Support· © 2026 Beijing Yuanzhijing Technology Co., Ltd.