Hexagram 43
Resolution (Guài) - Breakthrough
夬
Meaning and Overview
The upper trigram of Hexagram Guài is Dui (Lake), and the lower trigram is Qian (Heaven). One yin line resides above five yang lines, encroaching upon them, thus provoking opposition from the five yang lines. The yang lines seek to eliminate the yin line—this is the essential meaning of Guài. The hexagram is somewhat unfavorable because yin overrides yang; both the hexagram statement and the line statements revolve around this theme. The central message of Guài is resolution through harmony: one should fully utilize the advantage of public opinion, advance gradually, and avoid military confrontation, so as not to create new conflicts and problems through intense struggle. The hexagram statement says: 'Raise it in the king's court; with sincerity, cry out—there is danger.' It is appropriate to loudly proclaim in the court of the ruler, exposing the crime of the top yin line oppressing the yang lines. 'It is not beneficial to resort to arms'—do not engage in armed conflict; instead, wage a peaceful struggle with reason, advantage, and restraint—that is, use civil means, not military force. The first nine warns against rash action.
Chinese Interpretation
《夬》卦上卦为兑，下卦为乾，一阴居于五阳之上，一阴凌乘五阳，因而遭到五阳的反对，阳爻试图决去阴爻，这是《夬》卦的本义。《夬》卦不太好，因为阴凌乘阳，卦辞与爻辞都围绕这点展开论说。《夬》卦的主旨是决而和，要充分利用舆论优势，逐步推进，不利于兵戎相见，不要因为激烈的冲突而产生新的矛盾与问题。卦辞说：“扬于王庭，孚号有厉。”适宜在君王朝廷上大声呼唤，揭发上六凌逼阳爻的罪行。“不利即戎”，不要武装冲突，要有理、有利、有节地进行和平斗争，就是说要文斗，不要武斗。初九告诫不要轻举妄动。
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.
扬于王庭，孚号有厉，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。
在君王的朝廷上宣扬，有诚心的呼号会有危险，从自己的城邑发布告诫，不利于出兵作战，利于有所前往。
Raise it in the king's court; with sincerity, cry out—there is danger. Proclaim it from your own city. It is not beneficial to resort to arms. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go.
Proclaim it in the king's court; a sincere cry brings danger. Issue warnings from your own city. It is not favorable to engage in military action; it is favorable to proceed somewhere.
初九，壮于前趾，往不胜，为咎。
初九爻，强壮在脚趾上，前往不会取胜，这是错误。
First Nine: Strong in the forward toes. Going forward, one does not prevail—this is a fault.
First Nine: Strength in the toes. Advancing will not bring victory; this is a mistake.
九二，惕号，莫夜有戎，勿恤。
九二爻，警惕地呼号，夜晚有兵戎之事，不必忧虑。
Nine in the Second: Alertly cry out. In the evening or night, there is armed conflict—do not worry.
Nine in the Second: Cry out in vigilance. There is military action at night—do not be anxious.
九三，壮于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，独行遇雨，若濡，有愠，无咎。
九三爻，强壮在颧骨上，有凶险。君子果断决断，独自前行遇到下雨，被沾湿，有怨怒，没有过错。
Nine in the Third: Strong in the cheekbones—there is misfortune. The noble one resolves resolutely. Walking alone, he encounters rain, as if drenched; he feels vexed, but no fault.
Nine in the Third: Strength in the cheekbones—there is danger. The noble one acts decisively. Walking alone, he meets rain, gets wet, and feels resentful, but there is no blame.
九四，臀无肤，其行次且，牵羊悔亡，闻言不信。
九四爻，臀部没有皮肤，行走艰难，牵羊而行悔恨消失，听到言语却不相信。
Nine in the Fourth: The buttocks have no skin. His walking is hesitant. Leading a sheep, regret vanishes. Hearing words, he does not believe.
Nine in the Fourth: No skin on the buttocks; walking is difficult. Leading a sheep, regret disappears. He hears words but does not believe them.
九五，苋陆夬夬，中行，无咎。
九五爻，像斩除苋草一样果断决断，中道而行，没有过错。
Nine in the Fifth: Like cutting purslane, resolve resolutely. Walking the middle path—no fault.
Nine in the Fifth: Decisive as cutting purslane; walking the middle way—no blame.