I Ching · Hexagram 43 of 64
43. Guài 夬 · Breakthrough
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Speak up firmly and fairly; resolve the issue.
- Upper trigram
- Lake 兌
- Lower trigram
- Heaven 乾
What hexagram 43 means
Guài shows a lake rising high into heaven, about to burst its banks. It is breakthrough: the moment to make a firm decision and name a problem openly. The traditional advice is to state the truth publicly and fairly, prepare yourself, and avoid resorting to force.
Hexagram 43 in daily life
At work
A decisive moment. Speak up clearly about what must change, with facts and fairness.
In relationships
Say what needs saying, calmly. Resolution beats simmering resentment.
For yourself
Break a bad habit decisively, but be kind to yourself in the process.
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 | Striding forward with toes only: you go but aren't equal to the task. A mistake. |
| Line 2 | A cry of alarm in the night. Stay prepared and there is nothing to fear. |
| Line 3 | Showing resolve in your face invites trouble. Acting alone, you get soaked by the rain; there is some resentment but no blame. |
| Line 4 | No skin on the thighs; walking is hard. Let yourself be led, though you may not listen. |
| Line 5 | Clearing weeds with firm resolve. Walking the middle path, there is no blame. |
| Line 6 | No warning cry. Ignoring the signs brings misfortune in the end. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Heaven 乾 (Qián), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Lake 兌 (Duì), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Metal over Metal. Heaven is the trigram of Kua 6 and Lake is the trigram of Kua 7.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 23. Bō 剝 · Splitting Apart
- Inverted (read upside down): 44. Gòu 姤 · Coming to Meet
- Trigrams swapped: 10. Lǚ 履 · Treading
Questions to reflect on
- What decision can no longer wait?
- What truth needs speaking openly?
- Am I being firm, or just forceful?
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.