Hexagram 24
Return (Fu) - The Turning Point
复
Meaning and Overview
The Hexagram of Return (Fu) is the opposite of the Hexagram of Stripping (Bo). In Fu, a single yang line occupies the first position of the lower trigram; the lower trigram is Zhen (Thunder), and the upper trigram is Kun (Earth). This single yang returns, and the hexagram's time corresponds to the winter solstice, when yang energy is weak. However, the hexagram's energy grows from below upward, indicating that the future development of yang energy is promising. From Fu to Lin (Approach) to Tai (Peace), the three yang lines bring forth spring, when all things revive and nature teems with life. Thus, Fu is a relatively auspicious hexagram. The first line (initial nine) says, 'Returning after not going far, no regret, supreme good fortune'—meaning one deviates only slightly from the correct path and immediately returns, without regret, bringing great good fortune. The second line (six in the second place) occupies the central position and says, 'Resting in return, good fortune.' The third line (six in the third place) repeatedly deviates from and returns to the correct path; though dangerous, timely correction leads to no fault. The fourth line (six in the fourth place) says, 'Walking in the middle, returning alone'—practicing the mean alone and returning to the correct path is naturally good. The fifth line (six in the fifth place) says, 'Sincere return, no regret.' Only the top line (six at the top), far from the initial yang line and occupying a high position, is confused about returning to the correct path, bringing danger and calamity. If military campaigns are launched, there will be great defeat. The state will be in chaos, to the extent that it cannot recover for ten years. The main theme of Fu is the appropriateness of returning to the correct path. During the time of Fu, it is suitable to quietly nurture yang energy, because at the winter solstice, yang is weak and yin is strong. With one yang line below and five yin lines above, the correct path is to cultivate the mind, conserve energy, and build up strength.
Chinese Interpretation
《复》卦与《剥》卦相反，《复》卦一阳居于下卦初位，下卦为震，上卦为坤，一阳来复，卦时是冬至之时，阳气微弱，但是，卦气是从下往上生长，《复》卦预示着未来阳气发展前景很好，由《复》卦到《临》卦，到《泰》卦，三阳开泰，春天就来临了，万物复苏，自然界生机勃勃。因此，《复》卦是个比较好的卦，初九“不远复，无悔，元吉”，偏离正道不远，马上返回到正道上来，不会后悔，大吉。六二居中位，“休复，吉”。六三爻反复偏离正道，又反复回到正道，虽然有危险，但是及时改正，不会有过错。六四爻“中行独复”，独行中庸之道，返回正道，当然是好事。六五“敦复”，不会后悔。只有上六爻，远隔初九阳爻，又居于高位，因此，迷于返回正道，凶险，会有灾祸。兴师打仗，会有大败。国政混乱，以至于十年不能恢复元气。《复》卦主旨以返回正道为宜，《复》卦之时，适宜于静养阳气，因为冬至时阳气微弱，阴气大盛，一个阳爻居于地下，五个阴爻居于阳爻之上，潜心修炼，养精蓄锐，才是正道。
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，出入无疾，朋来无咎；反复其道，七日来复，利有攸往。
亨通，出去与进来不会有危害，朋友来了不会有过错。返回到原来的道路上来，过了七个月，又回来了，利于前行。
Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends come without blame. Returning to the path, after seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
Success. Going out and coming in will bring no harm; friends coming will bring no fault. Returning to the original path, after seven months, there is a return. It is favorable to proceed forward.
初九，不远复，无祗悔，元吉。
初九爻，刚刚偏离就马上返回正道，不会有灾祸，不会后悔，十分吉祥。
Nine at the beginning: Returning after not going far. No regret, supreme good fortune.
The first nine line: Having just deviated, immediately return to the correct path. There will be no disaster, no regret, and it is extremely auspicious.
六二，休复，吉。
六二爻，善于返回正道，吉祥。
Six in the second place: Resting in return. Good fortune.
The second six line: Skillful in returning to the correct path. Auspicious.
六三，频复，厉，无咎。
六三爻，多次偏离正道而又返回正道，虽然有危险，但不会有过错。
Six in the third place: Repeated return. Danger, but no fault.
The third six line: Repeatedly deviating from and returning to the correct path. Though dangerous, there will be no fault.
六四，中行独复。
六四爻，品行端正，独自返回正道。
Six in the fourth place: Walking in the middle, returning alone.
The fourth six line: Upright in conduct, returning to the correct path alone.
六五，敦复，无悔。
六五爻，诚心诚意地返回正道，不会后悔。
Six in the fifth place: Sincere return. No regret.
The fifth six line: Returning with sincerity. No regret.
上六，迷复，凶，有灾眚。用行师，终有大败，以其国君凶，至于十年不克征。
上六爻，迷失了正道，十分凶险，会有灾祸。如果兴师打仗，最终会大败，连累国君凶险，以至于十年不能出征。
Six at the top: Confused return. Misfortune, calamity. If used for military campaigns, there will be great defeat, bringing misfortune to the ruler of the state, so that for ten years he cannot campaign.
The top six line: Lost on the correct path, extremely dangerous, with calamity. If military campaigns are launched, there will be great defeat, bringing misfortune to the ruler, so that for ten years he cannot lead an expedition.