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49. Ko [Change]

101110

Thwan, or Overall Judgment (Attributed to King Wan)

(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.

[Whincup] Revolution.
The day comes. People have faith in him.
Supremely blessed.
It is favorable to continue.
Regrets disappear.

[Christensen] 49 - 革 Change  
革 已 日 乃 孚 元 亨 利 貞 悔 亡 Change. When the [right] day has arrived there will be confidence in change. [This is the very] foundation of a successful [transition]. It is beneficial to correct things, then regret will go away.

[Pearson] (gé) Molting (Shedding)
Molting. The day after the zenith, return. Supreme success. Persistence is effective. Remorse disappears.

[Redmond] 49. 革 Ge Tanning Leather
49.0 On a si day, sacrifice captives. Begin with an offering, beneficial to divine. Regrets go away. 已日乃孚. 元亨利貞. 悔亡.

[Legge] The character called Ko or Keh is used here in the sense of changing. Originally used for the skin of an animal or bird, alive or dead, it received the significance of changing at a very early time. Its earliest appearance, indeed, in the first Book of the Shu, is in that sense. How the transition was made from the idea of a skin or hide to that of change is a subject that need not be entered on here. The author has before him the subject of changes occurring—called for—in the state of the country; it may be on the greatest scale. The necessity of them is recognised, and hints are given as to the spirit and manner in which they should be brought about.

For the way in which the notion of change is brought out of the trigrams of the figure, see [the 'Comments on the Thwan' and 'Great Symbolism,' below]. It is assumed in the Thwan that change is viewed by people generally with suspicion and dislike, and should not be made hastily. When made as a necessity, and its good effects appear, the issues will be great and good. A proved necessity for them beforehand; and a firm correctness in the conduct of them:—these are the conditions by which changes should be regulated.

Comments on the Thwan

1. In Ko (we see) water and fire extinguishing each other; (we see also) two daughters dwelling together, but with their minds directed to different objects:—(on account of these things) it is called (the hexagram of) Change.

2. 'It is believed in (only) after it has been accomplished:'—when the change has been made, faith is accorded to it.

(We have) cultivated intelligence (as the basis of) pleased satisfaction, (suggesting) 'great progress and success,' coming from what is correct.

When change thus takes place in the proper way, 'occasion for repentance disappears.'

3. Heaven and earth undergo their changes, and the four seasons complete their functions. Thang changed the appointment (of the line of Hsia to the throne), and Wu (that of the line of Shang), in accordance with (the will of) Heaven, and in response to (the wishes of) men. Great indeed is what takes place in a time of change.

[Legge] Paragraph 1. Li, the lower trigram, represents fire, and Tui, the upper, represents water. Water will extinguish fire, and fire again will dry up water. Each, to all appearance, produces a change in the other. Again, according to king Wan's scheme of the trigrams, as shown [under Introduction, Chapter 3, Par. 4.4], and in Figure 1, Plate 3, Li is the second, and Tui the youngest daughter. Their wills are likely to differ in love and other things; but this symbolism does not so readily suggest the idea of change.

2. The first sentence suggests how the dislike to change on the part of people generally is overcome.

The second suggests how change proceeding from intelligence and giving general satisfaction will be successful.

Paragraph 3 tells us how the greatest natural and the greatest political changes are equally successful and admirable when conducted aright.

Great Symbolism

(The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and that for fire in the midst of them form Ko. The superior man, in accordance with this, regulates his (astronomical) calculations, and makes clear the seasons and times.

[Legge] Wise men, occupying themselves with the determination of the seasons and questions of time, have in all ages based their judgments on the observation of the heavenly bodies. We find this insisted on in the first book of the Shu, by the ancient Yao. But how this application of the Great Symbolism really flows from it, I must confess myself unable to discover. Once, however, when I was conversing about the Yi with a high Chinese dignitary, who was a well-read scholar also so far as his own literature was concerned, he referred to this paragraph as proving that all our western science had been known to Fu-hsi and Confucius!

Line Statements (Attributed to the Duke of Kau)

1. The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject (as if he were) bound with the skin of a yellow ox.

101110 changing to 001110

Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 50.1

[Whincup]
Firmly bound with brown oxhide.

[Christensen] 初 九﹕ 鞏 用 黃 牛 之 革 Beginning 9: When you want to bind something together use [string of] yellow oxen hide.

[Pearson] Nine in the first place: Tie it with leather from a yellow cow.

[Redmond] 49.1 Tie up using the tanned hide of a yellow cow. 初九鞏用黃牛之革.

[Smaller Symbolism] 1. 'He is bound with (the skin of) a yellow ox:'—he should in his circumstances be taking action.

[Legge] Line 1, at the bottom of the figure, may be taken as denoting change made at too early a period. It has no proper correlate or helper, moreover, above. Hence its subject is represented as tied up, unable to take any action.

2. The second SIX, divided, shows its subject making his changes after some time has passed. Action taken will be fortunate. There will be no error.

101110 changing to 111110

Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 50.2

[Whincup]
The day of revolution comes.
It is auspicious to march forth to war.
One will come to no harm.

[Christensen] 六 二﹕ 已 日 乃 革 之 征 吉 无 咎 Second 6: When the right day has arrived then change; to attack [at that time] is good and there will be no failure.

[Pearson] Six in the second place: The day after the zenith, shed it. Beginning a campaign brings good fortune, without blame.

[Redmond] 49.2 On a si (sacrifice) day, then tanned hide. For an expedition, auspicious, nothing blameworthy. 六二已日乃革之. 征吉, 无咎.

[Smaller Symbolism] 2. 'He makes his changes when some time has passed:'—what he does will be matter of admiration.

[Legge] Line 2, though weak, is in its correct place. It is in the centre also of the trigram Li, signifying brightness and intelligence, and has a proper correlate in the strong 5. Let its subject take action in the way of change.

3. The third NINE, undivided, shows that action taken by its subject will be evil. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous. If the change (he contemplates) have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.

101110 changing to 100110

Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 50.3

[Whincup]
Marching forth to war will bring misfortune.
It is dangerous to continue.
Only when revolution has been spoken of
   three times will people have faith in it.

[Christensen] 九 三﹕ 征 凶 貞 厲 革 言 三 就 有 孚 Third 9: To proceed now [may seem] correct but will evoke criticism; talk it over three times, then there will be confidence.

[Pearson] Nine in the third place: Attacking brings misfortune. Persistence brings danger. Shedding words, calculating three times. Return.

[Redmond] 49.3 For an expedition, ominous, divination harsh. Binding with leather, speak three times while approaching the captives. 九三征凶貞厲。革言三就有孚.

[Smaller Symbolism] 3. 'The change (contemplated) has been three times fully discussed:'—to what else should attention (now) be directed?

[Legge] The symbolism of paragraph 3 is twofold. The line is strong, and in the correct position, but it has passed the centre of Sun and is on its outward verge. These conditions may dispose its subject to reckless and violent changing which would be bad. But if he act cautiously and with due deliberation, he may take action, and he will be believed in.

4. The fourth NINE, undivided, shows occasion for repentance disappearing (from its subject). Let him be believed in; and though he change (existing) ordinances, there will be good fortune.

101110 changing to 101010

Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 50.4

[Whincup]
Regrets disappear.
Allegiance is given.
It is inauspicious ot change the mandate.

[Christensen] 九 四﹕ 悔 亡 有 孚 改 命 吉 Fourth 9: When regret has vanished and there is confidence, the leadership can be replaced with a better.

[Pearson] Nine in the fourth place: Remorse disappears. If there is sincerity, a change in the mandate brings good fortune.

[Redmond] 49.4 Regret goes away. Holding captives. Changing orders, auspicious. 九四悔亡. 有孚. 改命吉.

[Smaller Symbolism] 4. 'The good fortune consequent on changing (existing) ordinances' is due to the faith reposed in his aims.

[Legge] Line 4 is strong, but in the place of a weak line. This might vitiate any action of its subject in the way of change, and give occasion for repentance. But other conditions are intimated that will have a contrary effect; and if he have further secured general confidence, he may proceed to the greatest changes, even to change the dynasty,—'with good fortune.' The conditions favourable to his action are said to be such as these:—The line has passed from the lower trigram into the upper; water and fire come in it into contact; the fourth place is that of the minister immediately below the ruler's seat. All these considerations demand action from the subject of 4 in harmony with the idea of the hexagram.

5. The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the great man (producing his changes) as the tiger (does when he) changes (his stripes). Before he divines (and proceeds to action), faith has been reposed in him.

101110 changing to 101100

Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 50.5

[Whincup]
A big man with a tiger's stripes:
Without divination,
   he knows he has people's faith.

[Christensen] 九 五﹕ 大 人 虎 變 未 占 有 孚 Fifth 9: The great man adapts himself like a tiger; without resorting to divination he is confident.

[Pearson] Nine in the fifth place: A great person, a tiger changing. Not yet a prediction, but a return.

[Redmond] 49.5 The great person undergoes a tiger change. Before, prognosticates about the captives. 九五大人虎變. 未占有孚.

[Smaller Symbolism] 5. 'The great man produces his changes as the tiger does when he changes his stripes:'—their beauty becomes more brilliant.

[Legge] Line 5 has every quality proper to 'the lord of the hexagram,' and his action will be in every way beneficial. He is symbolled by the tiger; and the changes which he makes by the bright stripes of the tiger when he has changed his coat.

6. The sixth SIX, divided, shows the superior man producing his changes as the leopard (does when he) changes (his spots), while small men change their faces (and show their obedience). To go forward (now) would lead to evil, but there will be good fortune in abiding firm and correct.

101110 changing to 101111

Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 50.6

[Whincup]
A lord with a leopard's spots:
Little people turn toward him.
Marching forth would bring misfortune.
Is is auspicious for him to stay where he is.

[Christensen] 上 六﹕ 君 子 豹 變 小 人 革 面 征 凶 居 貞 吉 Top 6: The wise person adapts like a leopard, small men [can merely] change their attitude. To attack now will be bad; to stay is correct and good.

[Pearson] Six at the top: One worthy of power, a leopard changing. A petty person, a facial change. If you start a campaign, misfortune. If you stay and persist, good fortune.
This may mean that a great and good person changes as rarely as a leopard changes its spots, whereas a shallow person vacillates as easily as facial expressions change. Thus persistence is valued far higher than frequent changes.

[Redmond] 49.6 The upright person undergoes a leopard change. The petty person changes his face. For an expedition, ominous. For a home, divination auspicious. 上六君子豹變. 小人革面. 征凶. 居貞吉.

[Smaller Symbolism] 6. 'The superior man produces his changes as the leopard does when he changes his spots:'—their beauty becomes more elegant. 'Small men change their faces:'—they show themselves prepared to follow their ruler.

[Legge] Line 6 is weak, but its subject is penetrated with the spirit of the hexagram. If its subject be a superior man, only inferior to 'the great man,' immediately below, the changes he makes will be inferior only to his. If he be a small man, he will be compliant and submissive. The lesson for him, however, is to abide firm and correct without taking any action of his own.

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