Hexagram 40: Deliverance
Liberation, release from tension
| Chinese | 解 (Xiè) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☳ Thunder — The Arousing (Wood) |
| Lower trigram | ☵ Water — The Abysmal (Water) |
| Keywords | deliverance, liberation, release, forgiveness |
| Opposite | Hexagram 37: The Family |
| Inverted | Hexagram 39: Obstruction |
What does Hexagram 40 (Deliverance) mean?
Deliverance 解 (Xiè) is hexagram 40 of the I Ching, formed by Thunder (The Arousing) over Water (The Abysmal). Its theme is liberation, release from tension, with key ideas of deliverance, liberation, release, forgiveness. The Judgment reads: “Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything to pursue, return brings good fortune.”
The Judgment of Deliverance
Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything to pursue, return brings good fortune.
The Image of Deliverance
Thunder and rain set in.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 40
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Six at the beginning
“Without blame.”
In the first moment of deliverance from difficulty, simply being free of fault is enough. Rest in the release before acting.
Nine in the second place
“One kills three foxes in the field and receives a yellow arrow. Perseverance brings good fortune.”
In the clarity of liberation, hidden corruptions are exposed and removed. Three clear sources of deception are neutralised, restoring the straight path.
Six in the third place
“If a man carries a burden on his back and nonetheless rides in a carriage, he thereby encourages robbers to draw near. Perseverance leads to humiliation.”
Carrying the manner of the laborer while sitting in the seat of the privileged invites disrespect and attack. Incongruence between one's position and conduct is a weakness.
Nine in the fourth place
“Deliver yourself from your great toe. Then the companion comes, and him you can trust.”
Release the lowest, most limiting attachments first. Once that tether is cut, the right companion arrives and genuine trust becomes possible.
Six in the fifth place
“If only the superior man can deliver himself, it brings good fortune. Thus he proves to inferior men that he is in earnest.”
Leadership in liberation starts with self-liberation. Only one who has freed themselves can credibly lead others out of difficulty.
Six at the top
“The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall. He kills it. Everything serves to further.”
Targeting the precise source of the obstruction and removing it decisively completes the deliverance. The exact, focused act of liberation clears the way for everything else.
Will Deliverance answer your question?
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