Five strong lines push against a single weak one at the top, like water building up until it bursts its banks. Guai is decisive breakthrough: the moment to remove a last remaining problem, often a person or habit that has held things back. The resolve must be complete, but the means must be honest and non-violent: open, truthful and fair, without hatred.
Judgment
夬：揚于王庭，孚號，有厲，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。
Resolution. Raise the matter openly in the king's court. Call out in sincerity: there is danger. Begin by telling your own town. Taking up arms is not favorable. Having somewhere to go is favorable.
Image
澤上於天，夬；君子以施祿及下，居德則忌。
A lake lifted above heaven: resolution. Taking this as a model, the noble one sends wealth down to those below, and is wary of sitting complacently on their merit.
- Decisive resolution
- Honest confrontation
- Removing what holds you back
- Non-violent firmness
- Generosity after victory
- resolve
- breakthrough
- decisiveness
- honesty
- confrontation
- clarity
- Bring the problem into the open, honestly.
- Be resolute but avoid force and hatred.
- After the breakthrough, share the benefits.
The six lines
Lines are numbered from the bottom. In a reading, only the lines that are changing apply to your cast.
Line 1Nine at the beginning 初九
Line text
壯于前趾，往不勝為咎。
Strength in the forward toes. Going on without being equal to it is a fault.
Eagerness at the start can lead to a reckless move. Measure your strength first; an attempt that fails makes things worse.
- Premature attempt
- Knowing your strength
- Acting before you are ready
- A better-prepared move later
Line 2Nine in the second place 九二
Line text
惕號，莫夜有戎，勿恤。
Alarmed cries; armed men in the evening and the night. Do not worry.
Stay alert and prepared. Because you are watchful, sudden threats do not catch you off guard, and there is no need to fear.
- Vigilance
- Preparedness without fear
- Complacency before resolution
- Security through readiness
Line 3Nine in the third place 九三
Line text
壯于頄，有凶。君子夬夬，獨行遇雨，若濡有慍，无咎。
Strength in the cheekbones: misfortune. The noble one is resolved, resolved. Walking alone, they meet the rain, get soaked and are resented. No blame.
Showing aggression openly is dangerous. You may have to maintain contact with the problem, and be misunderstood for it. As long as your resolve is inwardly firm, there is no fault.
- Inner resolve despite misunderstanding
- Avoiding open aggression
- Displaying hostility
- Staying true while misjudged
Line 4Nine in the fourth place 九四
Line text
臀无膚，其行次且。牽羊悔亡，聞言不信。
No skin on the buttocks; walking is halting and slow. Let yourself be led like a sheep and regret passes. But hearing this advice, one does not believe it.
Restless and stubborn, you won't take advice that would help. Letting yourself be guided would end the trouble, if only you could accept it.
- Stubborn restlessness
- Refusing good advice
- Ignoring sound counsel
- Relief through accepting guidance
Line 5Nine in the fifth place 九五
Line text
莧陸夬夬，中行无咎。
Purslane: resolved, resolved. Walking the middle way: no blame.
The problem is close to you and keeps growing back. Firm, persistent determination is needed, while staying balanced and fair.
- Persistent determination
- Balance
- Half measures with a recurring problem
- Lasting resolution
Line 6Six at the top 上六
Line text
无號，終有凶。
No crying out: in the end, misfortune.
The last remnant seems defeated, but if vigilance lapses, it returns. Don't celebrate too soon; finish the work.
- Premature victory
- Unfinished work
- Dropping your guard at the end
- Making the breakthrough complete
Related hexagrams
Have a question on your mind?
Cast a readingChinese text: Zhouyi 周易 (received classical text). English rendering and notes: Site rendering. About our sources
Commentary
The weak line at the top is the last remnant of something that must go. The five strong lines have the power to remove it, but the judgment specifies how: publicly, truthfully, starting with oneself ("begin by telling your own town"), and without taking up arms. The reading may suggest that a decision long in the making is now due, and that you should make it openly and on principle.
The danger is that force or self-righteousness turns the good cause into a new problem. The image adds that what was gained must be shared and not hoarded, and that one should not become complacent about one's own virtue. In relation to a question, Guai may emphasize clear decision, honest communication and fairness.