Hexagram 49 of 64 · Lake ☱ over Fire ☲
Revolution
Gé
Revolution — the moulting of an old skin; change so complete it needs the right day, the right reasons, and the people’s belief.
The Judgment
Revolution: on your own day you are believed. Supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Remorse disappears. Change of this magnitude must wait for its day, and be carried out with complete integrity.
The Image
Fire in the lake: two elements that cannot coexist without one transforming the other. The wise person sets the calendar in order and makes the seasons clear — revolution is the establishment of a new order, not the mere destruction of an old one.
Hexagram 49 Meaning
The character means an animal hide — and the moulting of it. Revolution is a change of skin: fundamental, irreversible, and natural when the time is right. The hexagram is favourable but conditional: “on your own day” — timing is everything, and the day has to be yours. It must be done with such integrity that people believe in it. And it must produce a new order (the calendar set right), not just chaos. The tiger’s stripes in line 5 are the pattern of the new order, clear before it is even announced.
Revolution in Love
A relationship transforming — not a small adjustment but a change of skin. This might be a dramatic recommitment on new terms, a relationship that must fundamentally change to survive, or a revolution in your own patterns of loving. The hexagram supports it, on conditions: wait for the right day, be completely honest about why, and make sure what you are building is clearer than what you are tearing down. Revolution for its own sake is just a breakup with extra steps.
Revolution in Career & Money
A reorganisation, a pivot, a career change, a company overthrowing its old model. Favoured — supreme success — with strict conditions: the timing must be right (line 1 warns against acting too soon), the reasons must be believed (line 3 says talk it over three times), and the new order must be laid out clearly (the calendar). Revolutions that win are the ones whose leaders were trusted. Be that leader, or follow one.
What to Do
If it is time for a fundamental change, make it — completely and with integrity. Wait for your day. Explain until you are believed. Build the new order before you finish dismantling the old.
Revolution as a Yes or No
yes
Yes — transformation is favoured; the conditions are right timing and complete integrity.
The Trigrams
Above: Lake (兌 Duì) — the joyous — pleasure, openness, the youngest daughter.
Below: Fire (離 Lí) — the clinging — clarity, attachment, the middle daughter.
The Six Lines of Revolution
Read when the line is moving (a 6 or 9 in the cast). Bottom line first.
- 1
Line 1 · yang
Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow: bound by the old order — it is not yet time to change; hold firm.
- 2
Line 2 · yin
When one’s own day comes, one may create revolution — starting brings good fortune, no blame: the moment has arrived; act with preparation.
- 3
Line 3 · yang
Starting brings misfortune, perseverance brings danger; when talk of revolution has gone the rounds three times, one may commit himself and people will believe him: neither rush nor delay — discuss until it is understood.
- 4
Line 4 · yang
Remorse disappears, people believe him, changing the form of government brings good fortune: radical change with the authority to carry it — success.
- 5
Line 5 · yang
The great man changes like a tiger, even before he questions the oracle he is believed: the new pattern is so clear no one doubts it.
- 6
Line 6 · yin
The superior person changes like a panther, the inferior person moults in the face — starting brings misfortune, to remain persevering brings good fortune: the large changes are done; refine the details and stop.
Will Revolution Appear in Your Cast?
Cast the coins on your own question — free, instant, with every moving line explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hexagram 49, Revolution, mean?
The character means an animal hide — and the moulting of it. Revolution is a change of skin: fundamental, irreversible, and natural when the time is right. The hexagram is favourable but conditional: “on your own day” — timing is everything, and the day has to be yours. It must be done with such integrity that people believe in it. And it must produce a new order (the calendar set right), not just chaos. The tiger’s stripes in line 5 are the pattern of the new order, clear before it is even announced.
What does Revolution mean in love?
A relationship transforming — not a small adjustment but a change of skin. This might be a dramatic recommitment on new terms, a relationship that must fundamentally change to survive, or a revolution in your own patterns of loving. The hexagram supports it, on conditions: wait for the right day, be completely honest about why, and make sure what you are building is clearer than what you are tearing down. Revolution for its own sake is just a breakup with extra steps.
What does Revolution mean for career and money?
A reorganisation, a pivot, a career change, a company overthrowing its old model. Favoured — supreme success — with strict conditions: the timing must be right (line 1 warns against acting too soon), the reasons must be believed (line 3 says talk it over three times), and the new order must be laid out clearly (the calendar). Revolutions that win are the ones whose leaders were trusted. Be that leader, or follow one.
Is hexagram 49 a yes or a no?
Revolution answers "yes". Yes — transformation is favoured; the conditions are right timing and complete integrity.
Previous hexagram
48. The Well
the source
Next hexagram
50. The Cauldron
transformation
Last updated: August 30, 2026
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