I Ching · Hexagram 24 of 64
24. Fù 復 · Return
By Destiny Kua · Updated
A turning point. Energy begins to come back.
- Upper trigram
- Earth 坤
- Lower trigram
- Thunder 震
What hexagram 24 means
Fù is thunder deep in the earth: the first stirring of new life after winter. It is return, the turning point. Energy comes back naturally; there is no need to rush it. Friends return and things come round again.
Hexagram 24 in daily life
At work
A comeback or recovery begins. Take it slowly and let momentum build.
In relationships
Reconnection and returning warmth. Old friends come back.
For yourself
Return to what you know is good for you. Restart a practice.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Returning after only a short detour. No regret: great good fortune. |
| Line 2 | A gentle, quiet return. Good fortune. |
| Line 3 | Returning again and again. There is danger, but no blame. |
| Line 4 | Walking with others, you return alone to your own path. |
| Line 5 | Returning with a noble heart. No regret. |
| Line 6 | Missing the chance to return. Misfortune; don't let pride stop you. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Thunder 震 (Zhèn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Earth 坤 (Kūn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Earth over Wood. Thunder is the trigram of Kua 3 and Earth is the trigram of Kua 2.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 44. Gòu 姤 · Coming to Meet
- Inverted (read upside down): 23. Bō 剝 · Splitting Apart
- Trigrams swapped: 16. Yù 豫 · Enthusiasm
Questions to reflect on
- What am I returning to?
- What small first step would restart my energy?
- Who is coming back into my life?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.