Hexagram 33 · Retreat

遁 · Dùn

Hexagram 33, Retreat (遁, Dùn), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Mountain below and Heaven above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “亨，小利贞。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with retreat as timely, strategic withdrawal. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Mountain (艮) — stillness and knowing when to stop
Upper trigram: Heaven (乾) — creative strength and initiative
Symbol: ䷠ · Name: 遁 (Dùn) · Number: 33 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   遁尾，厉，勿用有攸往。
   The Image says: “遁尾”之“厉”，不往，何灾也？
2. 六二 (六二)
   执之用黄牛之革，莫之胜说。
   The Image says: “执用黄牛”，固志也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   系遁，有疾厉；畜臣妾，吉。
   The Image says: “系遁之厉”，有疾惫也；“畜臣妾，吉”，不可大事也。
4. 九四 (九四)
   好遁，君子吉，小人否。
   The Image says: “君子”“好遁”，“小人否”也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   嘉遁，贞吉。
   The Image says: “嘉遁，贞吉”，以正志也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   肥遁，无不利。
   The Image says: “肥遁，无不利”，无所疑也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 33?

Hexagram 33 is Retreat (遁, Dùn), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Mountain below and Heaven above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Retreat?

The judgment of Retreat reads, in the Chinese original: “亨，小利贞。”. Its Great Image reads: “天下有山，遁。君子以远小人，不恶而严。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Retreat symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Retreat is associated with retreat as timely, strategic withdrawal. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.