Hexagram 43, Line 6
Breakthrough (夬)
上六
The Line Text
上六,无號,終有凶。
The top line, yin: No cry for help. In the end, there is misfortune.
The Commentary says: The misfortune of having no one to cry to for help shows that this situation cannot last long.
Interpretation
This top line represents the culmination and extreme of the situation described in Hexagram 43. It is the single yin line, the very object of the "Breakthrough," that is now being decisively expelled. Its position is one of complete isolation and weakness. The five strong yang lines below have risen up, and the collective will has turned against it. "No cry for help" signifies a state of utter desolation; there is no one left to appeal to, no support to be found. Its downfall is not just likely, but inevitable and absolute. The misfortune is final because the negative influence has overstayed its welcome, ignored all warnings, and now faces the full consequences of its actions. Any attempt to fight back or plead for mercy is futile. This line is a stark depiction of the downfall that follows arrogance, corruption, or stubborn refusal to yield when the time for change has come.
Guidance for Action
Receiving this line is a powerful and urgent warning. You are likely in, or identifying with, a position that is untenable and doomed to fail. This is not a time for struggle or resistance. The tide has turned completely against you or your position. The key is to recognize that the battle is already lost. Do not be the "villain" who cries out in vain as they are overthrown. Instead, your only wise course of action is radical acceptance. Let go of the failing project, the toxic belief, or the arrogant stance. Any further effort to hold on will only deepen the misfortune. The most graceful exit is a quiet one. Acknowledge the end, learn the hard lesson, and withdraw to reflect and begin anew elsewhere. Clinging to the situation will result in a harsh and humiliating end.
For Love & Relationships
In the context of love and relationships, this line points to a definitive and unfortunate end. It often signifies a situation where one person's negative behavior (e.g., deceit, neglect, arrogance) has finally exhausted all goodwill. The "breakthrough" is the partner's final decision to leave. The "no cry for help" means that apologies, promises to change, or pleas for another chance will be met with silence or a firm rejection. The trust is irrevocably broken. If you are the one being left, you must understand that the decision is final. Fighting it will only cause more pain for everyone. If you are the one who has made the decision to leave a toxic relationship, this line confirms the finality of the situation and warns against being swayed by last-minute dramatics from your partner.
For Career & Business
This line signals a career crisis of the highest order. It can represent a person in a position of authority who has become corrupt or incompetent and is now facing removal. Their support base has completely eroded, and their downfall is imminent. It could also represent a business strategy or project that is fundamentally flawed and about to be terminated by leadership. There is no saving it. If this line reflects your position, you must face reality: your job may be lost, or your project is finished. Fighting the decision will only damage your reputation. The best course is to accept the outcome, maintain your dignity, and begin planning your next move. Do not associate with the "doomed" figure or project, as you will be brought down as well.
For Financial Matters
This is a severe warning regarding financial matters. It points to a total loss or a financial collapse. This could be a speculative investment that has gone to zero, a business on the verge of bankruptcy, or a financial bubble that has just burst. The phrase "no cry for help" is particularly stark here; it means there is no bailout, no government assistance, and no one to rescue you from the loss. The money is gone. The wisest, though most painful, action is to cut your losses completely and immediately. Do not throw good money after bad in a desperate attempt to salvage the situation. Accept the loss, learn from the catastrophic error in judgment, and focus on preserving whatever capital you have left.