Forty-Third Hexagram : The Wisdom of Break-through

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the forty-third hexagram of the I Ching, Guai (夬), which symbolizes 'Break-through' or 'Resoluteness'. It represents lake over heaven, like waters rising to the sky in a decisive flood, emphasizing resolute action to break through obstacles, announcing truth, avoiding violence, and dispensing riches downward. The hexagram statement is: "Guai: Break-through (Resoluteness). One must resolutely make the matter known at the court of the king. It must be announced truthfully. Danger. It is necessary to notify one's own city. It does not further to resort to arms. It furthers one to undertake something."

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Flooding Lake, Resolute Breakthrough'

Once upon a time, in a realm where a swelling lake rose toward the heavens, threatening to flood the corrupt king's court, a resolute minister decided to break through the veil of deceit. He resolutely made the matter known at the court, announcing truthfully amid danger, notifying his own city without resorting to arms, furthering his undertaking to dispense justice. At the outset, mighty in the forward-striding toes, when he went and was not equal to the task, he made a mistake in his rash advance.

A cry of alarm rang out, arms at evening and night; fear nothing as he prepared for the night's dangers.

To be powerful in the cheekbones brought misfortune; the superior man was firmly resolved, walking alone and caught in the rain, bespattered with mud, people murmuring against him; no blame befell the resolute despite slander.

There was no skin on his thighs, and walking came hard; if he let himself be led like a sheep, remorse would disappear, but if these words were heard, they would not be believed, his advice unheeded.

In dealing with weeds, firm resolution was necessary; walking in the middle remained free of blame as he resolutely cleared the minor obstacles.

No cry came in the end; misfortune befell as silence allowed the corruption to persist without breakthrough.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 이미진4

First Line (Initial Nine): Mighty in the forward-striding toes. When one goes and is not equal to the task, one makes a mistake.

This line warns of rash resoluteness without adequate preparation leading to error. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, mighty in the forward-striding toes, when he went and was not equal to the task, he made a mistake in his rash advance." This part illustrates premature action failing.

 

Annotation: I Ching Guai hexagram first line: "Mighty in the forward-striding toes. When one goes and is not equal to the task, one makes a mistake."

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and night. Fear nothing.

This line suggests preparation for threats amid resoluteness, with no fear in readiness. Matching part in the tale: "A cry of alarm rang out, arms at evening and night; fear nothing as he prepared for the night's dangers." Preparation fears nothing. Annotation: I Ching Guai hexagram second line: "A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and night. Fear nothing."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing cry alarm arms evening night fear nothing preparation, representing Guai hexagram second line: ready threats, alarm scene heaven lake, earthy tones with subtle reds for readiness."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): To be powerful in the cheekbones brings misfortune. The superior man is firmly resolved. He walks alone and is caught in the rain. He is bespattered, And people murmur against him. No blame.

This line cautions against visible resoluteness inviting misfortune, but no blame in firm resolution despite slander. Matching part in the tale: "To be powerful in the cheekbones brought misfortune; the superior man was firmly resolved, walking alone and caught in the rain, bespattered with mud, people murmuring against him; no blame befell the resolute despite slander." Resolved despite slander. Annotation: I Ching Guai hexagram third line: "To be powerful in the cheekbones brings misfortune. The superior man is firmly resolved. He walks alone and is caught in the rain. He is bespattered, And people murmur against him. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating powerful cheekbones misfortune resolved alone rain bespattered murmur no blame, embodying Guai hexagram third line: firm despite slander, rain scene lake heaven, muted browns and grays for resolution."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): There is no skin on his thighs, And walking comes hard. If a man were to let himself be led like a sheep, Remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard They will not be believed.

This line describes difficulty in advancing, with remorse disappearing if led humbly, but advice often unheeded. Matching part in the tale: "There was no skin on his thighs, and walking came hard; if he let himself be led like a sheep, remorse would disappear, but if these words were heard, they would not be believed, his advice unheeded." Humble led unheeded. Annotation: I Ching Guai hexagram fourth line: "There is no skin on his thighs, And walking comes hard. If a man were to let himself be led like a sheep, Remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard They will not be believed."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying no skin thighs walking hard led sheep remorse disappear words not believed unheeded, symbolizing Guai hexagram fourth line: difficult advice, difficulty scene heaven lake, serene blues and grays for humility."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): In dealing with weeds, Firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle Remains free of blame.

This line stresses resolute clearing of minor obstacles without blame in balanced action. Matching part in the tale: "In dealing with weeds, firm resolution was necessary; walking in the middle remained free of blame as he resolutely cleared the minor obstacles." Resolute clearing blameless. Annotation: I Ching Guai hexagram fifth line: "In dealing with weeds, Firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle Remains free of blame."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing dealing weeds firm resolution middle free blame clearing obstacles, representing Guai hexagram fifth line: balanced resolute, weeds scene lake heaven, vibrant greens and yellows for clearing."

Top Line (Six at the Top): No cry. In the end misfortune comes.

This line warns of silent resoluteness leading to eventual failure without announcement. Matching part in the tale: "No cry came in the end; misfortune befell as silence allowed the corruption to persist without breakthrough." Silent end fails. Annotation: I Ching Guai hexagram top line: "No cry. In the end misfortune comes."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting no cry end misfortune silence persist, symbolizing Guai hexagram sixth line: silent failure, silence scene heaven lake, dark purples and grays for persistence."

This blog should make the six lines of Guai hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~