Hexagram 33
Retreat - The Power of Withdrawal
遯
Meaning and Overview
The hexagram of Retreat (Dun) has the upper trigram of Qian, representing Heaven, and the lower trigram of Gen, representing Mountain, which signifies stopping. Although the first and second lines of the inner trigram are yin, indicating growth from within outward with yin lines aspiring to ascend, the lower trigram Gen as stopping, with the third line being yang, can halt the spreading force of the yin lines. Therefore, the line statements of the lower trigram in the Retreat hexagram emphasize how to control blind action and advocate modesty and seclusion. The first line warns: 'Retreat at the tail—danger; do not go forward.' Modesty and seclusion falling behind bring crisis; one should actively withdraw. The first line is weak and should not act rashly.
Chinese Interpretation
《遁》卦上卦为乾，为天，下卦为艮，为山，为止。虽然内卦初位、二位为阴，卦是从内往外生长，阴爻有往上生长之意，但是下卦《艮》为止，第三爻阳爻能够止住阴爻生长蔓延之势，因此，《遁》卦下卦的爻辞都在强调如何控制住盲目行动，崇尚谦让隐居，初六爻告诫说，“遁尾，厉；勿用有攸往”，谦让隐居落在后面，会有危机，谦让归隐要积极，初六柔弱，不能轻举妄动。
Line Interpretations
These passages include the core hexagram statement, the six moving line texts, and traditional commentary where available. Read them as layered guidance: the early lines describe the root of the situation, while later lines reveal development, pressure, and outcome.
亨，小利贞。
亨通，利于柔小者坚守正道。
Success. The small one benefits from perseverance.
Success; it is favorable for the small and gentle to hold fast to the correct path.
初六，遁尾，厉；勿用有攸往。
初六爻，隐退在后面，有危险。不能够向前行。
First Six: Retreat at the tail—danger. Do not go forward.
First line: Retreating at the rear brings danger. One should not proceed forward.
六二，执之用黄牛之革，莫之胜说。
六二爻，用黄牛皮绑缚住，没有谁能够解脱它。
Six in the Second: Bind it with the hide of a yellow ox—none can loosen it.
Second line: Bound with the hide of a yellow ox, no one can untie it.
九三，系遁，有疾，厉；畜臣妾，吉。
九三爻，隐退时心有牵挂，有疾病，危险。畜养臣仆和侍妾，吉祥。
Nine in the Third: A tied retreat—sickness, danger. Nurturing servants and concubines brings good fortune.
Third line: Retreating with attachments brings illness and danger. But keeping servants and concubines is auspicious.
九四，好遁，君子吉，小人否。
九四爻，喜爱隐退，君子吉祥，小人不利。
Nine in the Fourth: A favorable retreat—the noble one is fortunate; the petty one is not.
Fourth line: Delighting in retreat—the noble person is blessed, the small person is not.
九五，嘉遁，贞吉。
九五爻，君子及时隐退，嘉美无比，坚守正道，吉祥。
Nine in the Fifth: An excellent retreat—perseverance brings good fortune.
Fifth line: A timely and admirable retreat—holding to the correct path brings good fortune.
上九，肥遁，无不利。
上九爻，及时隐退，过着优裕的生活，无所不利。
Top Nine: A generous retreat—nothing is unfavorable.
Top line: A prosperous retreat—living in abundance, nothing is unfavorable.