Hexagram 49: Revolution
Outer trigram (upper)
Đoài
Marsh · Metal
Inner trigram (lower)
Ly
Fire · Fire
Judgment
革：已日乃孚，元亨利貞，悔亡.
Translation
Revolution: only when the appointed day arrives is trust given. Great success, favorable to hold to what is right. Regret disappears.
Commentary
The upper trigram is Lake (Dui), the lower is Fire (Li). Fire beneath water — two opposing forces acting on each other and forcing change. Trust and acceptance come only when the timing is right and sincerity is genuine. Any change must be carried out on the right path.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yang)
初九：鞏用黃牛之革.
Translation
Bound fast with the hide of a yellow ox.
Commentary
At the very bottom, this line marks the earliest stage of change, when the moment is not yet ripe. One must hold firm, as if bound by tough ox-hide, and resist acting in haste.
Line 2 (yin)
六二：已日乃革之，征吉，无咎.
Translation
When the day arrives, the change is carried out. Moving forward brings good fortune. No blame.
Commentary
This yin line is centered, correctly placed, and corresponds with the yang line at 5. Once the moment has truly ripened, the change wins trust, and moving ahead brings good fortune with no blame.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚.
Translation
Pressing forward brings misfortune. Even holding steady is dangerous. The case for change is confirmed three times. There is sincerity.
Commentary
Neither centered nor correctly placed, this line courts danger and misfortune if it acts rashly. The matter must be weighed carefully, examined again and again, and only carried out once genuine sincerity is behind it.
Line 4 (yang)
九四：悔亡，有孚，改命，吉.
Translation
Regret disappears. There is sincerity. The mandate changes. Good fortune.
Commentary
This yang line is correctly placed and favorably positioned. Backed by genuine sincerity, it reforms the governing order, and whatever regret existed dissolves. A good outcome.
Line 5 (yang)
九五：大人虎變，未占有孚.
Translation
The great person changes as boldly and visibly as a tiger changing its stripes — trust is already given before any divination is even needed.
Commentary
This yang line is centered, correct, and holds the position of honor. The change it brings is as bold and unmistakable as a tiger's fresh coat. Its integrity carries so far that people give their trust without needing to consult the oracle at all.
Line 6 (yin)
上六：君子豹變，小人革面，征凶，居貞吉.
Translation
The noble person changes as subtly as a leopard refining its spots; the small-minded person merely changes their expression. Pressing further forward brings misfortune — staying settled and holding to what is right brings good fortune.
Commentary
At the furthest extreme of the revolution, the noble person refines themselves inwardly while the small-minded person changes only on the surface. The transformation is now complete — there is no need to press further. Holding on to what has been gained and staying on the right path brings good fortune.