Hexagram 33
Retreat
遁 (Dùn)
Heaven over Mountain
The image is of Heaven ascending high above a Mountain, which stands still below. This symbolizes a strategic withdrawal. The power of darkness and obstruction (represented by the two lower yin lines) is growing, and the creative power of Heaven recognizes that a direct confrontation is unwise. It withdraws in an orderly, dignified manner to preserve its energy and integrity. This is not a panicked flight, but a wise, tactical retreat executed from a position of strength.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (彖传)
This hexagram indicates that success lies in retreating. By withdrawing from an unfavorable situation, you preserve your energy and integrity for a more opportune moment. Fighting against the rising tide now would lead to exhaustion and defeat. The success here is in the wisdom of the retreat itself. "In what is small, perseverance furthers" means that while you are retreating from the major conflict, it is crucial to maintain order and discipline in the small details of your own life.
The Image (象传)
The image of the mountain below heaven evokes a sense of distance and separation. A person of wisdom applies this principle in their interactions. When confronted with negative, petty, or draining influences ("the inferior person"), they do not engage in angry confrontations. Instead, they create a dignified, firm boundary. This quiet, resolute withdrawal preserves their inner peace and clarity, and is far more powerful than a hostile engagement.
Interpretation & Guidance
When Hexagram 33 appears, you are being advised to make a strategic withdrawal. A situation in your life has become unfavorable. Negative forces are on the rise, and to engage them directly would be a waste of your strength and could compromise your integrity. This is the time to choose your battles by choosing *not* to fight this one. Step back, create distance, and let the situation play out without your involvement. This is an act of strength, not weakness. Use this time to consolidate your own position, focus on your own well-being, and wait for circumstances to become favorable again.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Six at the Beginning (初六)
Bottom line - Yin
"Retreating tail. This is dangerous. One must not wish to undertake anything."
You are at the very back of the retreat, closest to the danger. Any movement now is perilous. The only correct action is to be absolutely still and inconspicuous until the danger has passed.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"He holds him fast with yellow oxhide. No one can tear him loose."
You want to retreat but are bound by a strong duty or attachment. This bond is correct ("yellow," the color of the middle way) and firm ("oxhide"). You must hold to this commitment for now; the time for withdrawal has not yet fully come for you.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as men- and maidservants brings good fortune."
Your retreat is blocked by entanglements and responsibilities to others. This is a precarious and stressful position. The best way to manage it is to take charge of these dependencies, organizing them in a way that allows you to maintain control while you wait for a chance to withdraw.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior person and downfall to the inferior person."
A person of wisdom can gracefully detach and retreat from the situation because their worth is internal. A lesser person, whose identity is tied to the situation, cannot let go and is thus dragged down with it. The ability to let go is a mark of strength.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune."
You execute the retreat perfectly. You withdraw in a friendly and dignified manner, leaving no resentment behind. By staying true to your principles throughout this process, you secure good fortune.
Top Six (上六)
Top line - Yin
"Cheerful retreat. Everything is favorable."
You have completely detached and are free from all entanglements. From this distance, you can see the situation with perfect clarity and cheerful acceptance. Your path is completely open, and all your undertakings will be successful.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In a relationship, this hexagram advises a strategic and dignified retreat from conflict. It does not necessarily mean ending the relationship, but rather withdrawing from a toxic dynamic, a recurring argument, or a power struggle. Instead of engaging in a fight you cannot win, step back with quiet dignity. This creates space for emotions to cool and for perspective to emerge. It can be a temporary withdrawal to preserve your own sanity and the health of the relationship. In some cases, if the environment has become fundamentally negative, it can signify the wisdom of gracefully ending the union to preserve your own integrity. The key is that the retreat is not an act of anger (like the silent treatment) but a conscious, self-respecting choice to disengage from negativity.
Career & Business (事业)
This is a powerful hexagram for business strategy. It represents the wisdom of knowing when to pull back. This could mean discontinuing a product that is draining resources, withdrawing from an unprofitable market, or refusing to get drawn into a price war with a competitor. It can also mean personally retreating from a toxic work environment or a dead-end job. This is not about failure; it is about the strategic preservation of capital, energy, and morale. A wise leader recognizes when the tide is against them and chooses to consolidate their forces, waiting for a more favorable time to advance. This dignified withdrawal allows the business (or your career) to survive and maintain its core strengths, ready for future growth. It is the art of choosing not to play a losing game.
Health & Wellness (健康)
Regarding health, 'Retreat' is a strong recommendation to withdraw from sources of stress and burnout. Your energy is being depleted by an external situation, and your body is signaling the need for rest and distance. This is the time to take a real vacation, to start saying "no" to draining social obligations, or to set firm boundaries around your work hours. It is a strategic retreat to allow your body and mind to recover and replenish their reserves. Pushing through now would lead to illness or a breakdown. Listen to the need for stillness (Mountain) and create the space for your vital energy (Heaven) to be preserved. This is an active and wise choice for self-preservation, which is the foundation of all health.
Financial Matters (财运)
In financial matters, this hexagram advises a defensive posture. It is a time to retreat from risky or volatile investments and move your assets into safer, more stable positions. The market conditions are becoming unfavorable, and it is wise to preserve your capital rather than trying to fight the trend. This might mean selling a stock that has peaked or is showing weakness, or simply choosing to hold cash while you wait for a clearer opportunity. This is not about fear, but about prudence. By strategically withdrawing, you protect what you have built and ensure you have the resources available to re-enter the market when conditions are right. It is the financial equivalent of moving to higher ground before the flood arrives.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
This hexagram is about the essential spiritual practice of creating sacred space. Personal growth requires periods of retreat from the noise and demands of the external world. It is about withdrawing from drama, negativity, and superficial distractions to connect with your own inner truth. This retreat is not an escape, but a journey inward. It's about setting boundaries with dignity, choosing solitude to recharge, and keeping your inner world uncontaminated by external chaos. By doing so, you preserve your integrity and clarify your purpose. This voluntary withdrawal allows you to see your life from a higher perspective (Heaven) and to stand firm in your own being (Mountain), unswayed by the fleeting opinions of others. It is in this quiet, protected space that true self-knowledge and wisdom can flourish.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The time is right for withdrawal, not for confrontation or advancement. The signs are clear that the situation is becoming unfavorable. The wisest and strongest move is to step back in a planned and orderly fashion. Preserve your strength, protect your integrity, and set firm boundaries with dignity. Use this period of quiet to focus on the small details of your own life and to wait for the tide to turn. This is a temporary but necessary phase.
