I Ching · Hexagram 40 of 64
40. Xiè 解 · Deliverance
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Tension releases. Forgive and move on.
- Upper trigram
- Thunder 震
- Lower trigram
- Water 坎
What hexagram 40 means
Xiè shows thunder and rain breaking a storm: the air clears and tension releases. It is deliverance. The traditional advice is to forgive mistakes, return to normal quickly and deal promptly with anything left over, rather than dwelling on what happened.
Hexagram 40 in daily life
At work
Problems are resolving. Tidy up loose ends quickly and get back to normal work.
In relationships
Forgiveness frees both sides. Let old grievances go.
For yourself
Release stress and resentment; don't hold on to what has already passed.
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 | No blame. The difficulty has passed. |
| Line 2 | Catching three foxes in the field and receiving a yellow arrow. Straightforward action brings good fortune. |
| Line 3 | Carrying a heavy load while riding in a carriage invites thieves. Don't display more than you can protect. |
| Line 4 | Free yourself from the hanger-on at your feet; then a true friend arrives. |
| Line 5 | Only the wise can truly free themselves. Good fortune, and even petty people are convinced. |
| Line 6 | The prince shoots the hawk on the high wall. Remove the last obstacle, and everything is favourable. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Water 坎 (Kǎn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Thunder 震 (Zhèn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Wood over Water. Water is the trigram of Kua 1 and Thunder is the trigram of Kua 3.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 37. Jiā Rén 家人 · The Family
- Inverted (read upside down): 39. Jiǎn 蹇 · Obstruction
- Trigrams swapped: 3. Zhūn 屯 · Difficulty at the Beginning
Questions to reflect on
- What is finally releasing?
- Whom do I need to forgive, including myself?
- What leftover issue should I clear up now?
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.