Hexagram 43 of 64 · King Wen sequence

Breakthrough

夬 · guài

Above: Lake
Below: Heaven

The lake risen to heaven: resolute breaking through — one dark element before five strong lines, removed openly, not violently.

Five strong lines and one dark one at the top: the moment of breakthrough, when the last obstruction is finally outweighed. Breakthrough is the hexagram of decisive removal — and its rules are strict precisely because the temptation is to strike hard.

The counsel: announce the truth openly at the court, announce the danger within, and do not take up arms — the advantage lies in going out with dignity. Remove the obstruction by law and clarity, not by violence; the wolf that is cornered carelessly bites.

Questions this hexagram asks

What must be removed openly rather than attacked?
What danger does my own side need to hear about?
Where am I tempted to force what clarity would settle?

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