Hexagram 49 · 泽火革

Revolution

Metal · Kan palace

Decisive change; only when the time is genuinely ripe.

Meaning

Fire in the lake: elements that cannot coexist. Revolution describes fundamental change that has become necessary.

Decision Framework

Change decisively, but only at the right moment.

Decision Guidance

Revolution concerns substantial, structural change. It appears when an arrangement has genuinely broken down and repair is no longer a serious option—the case for keeping things as they are has expired.

The standard the hexagram sets is demanding. Change of this magnitude must be timely, based on justified cause, and prepared well enough that people can accept it; the classical text insists that even a correct revolution fails if launched before its moment, and that it must appear necessary rather than merely desired. Once begun, carry it through without hesitation.

Judgment — Classical Text

巳日乃孚，元亨利贞，悔亡。

EN On the day of change there is trust — sublime success, perseverance furthers, regret vanishes.

The Six Lines — Classical Text

初九：巩用黄牛之革。
EN Initial nine: bind it with the hide of a yellow ox.
六二：巳日乃革之，征吉无咎。
EN Six in the second: on the day of change, change it — advancing brings good fortune, no blame.
九三：征凶贞厉，革言三就。
EN Nine in the third: advancing brings misfortune, perseverance danger; when the words of change are thrice settled, there is trust.
九四：悔亡，有孚改命，吉。
EN Nine in the fourth: regret vanishes; with sincerity the mandate is changed — good fortune.
九五：大人虎变，未占有孚。
EN Nine in the fifth: the great one changes like a tiger — before divination there is trust.
上六：君子豹变，小人革面。
EN Topmost six: the noble one changes like a leopard, the petty one changes only his face — advancing brings misfortune; abiding in correctness brings good fortune.

Keywords

I Ching hexagram 49, Revolution hexagram, Ge hexagram meaning, hexagram for major change