What is Hexagram 40, Deliverance?
Hexagram 40, Deliverance (解 Xiè), is built from Thunder (震 Zhèn) over Water (坎 Kǎn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as release, liberation, forgiveness. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 40 is built from Thunder (震 Zhèn) over Water (坎 Kǎn).
- Its central themes, release, liberation, forgiveness, relief, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Lepidolite as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one has to go, return brings good fortune. If there is still something where one has to go, hastening brings good fortune.
The Image
Thunder and rain set in: the image of Deliverance. Thus the superior person pardons mistakes and forgives misdeeds.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
The thunderstorm breaks and the tension releases. Deliverance comes after obstruction, the knot loosens, the pressure lifts, and movement becomes possible again. Your question arrives at a turning point: the difficulty is resolving. The I-Ching counsels speed if there's still work to do, and rest if the work is done. Also: this is a time for forgiveness. What are you ready to release?
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“Without blame.”
Line 2
“One kills three foxes in the field and receives a yellow arrow. Perseverance brings good fortune.”
Line 3
“If one carries a burden on one's back and rides in a carriage, one thereby encourages robbers to draw near. Perseverance leads to humiliation.”
Line 4
“Deliver yourself from your great toe. Then the companion comes, and in them you can trust.”
Line 5
“If only the superior person can deliver themselves, this brings good fortune. Thus they prove to inferior people that they are in earnest.”
Line 6 (top)
“The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall. The prince hits it. Everything serves to further.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 40
Lepidolite
Hold Lepidolite while meditating on Deliverance. Its energy resonates with the themes of release, liberation, forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 40 (Deliverance) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 40, Deliverance (解 Xiè), is read through Thunder (震 Zhèn) over Water (坎 Kǎn). The classical sources describe its themes as release, liberation, forgiveness. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for Deliverance?
The Judgment reads: "Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one has to go, return brings good fortune. If there is still something where one has to go, hastening brings good fortune.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for Deliverance?
The Image reads: "Thunder and rain set in: the image of Deliverance. Thus the superior person pardons mistakes and forgives misdeeds.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 40?
Lepidolite is the traditional pairing for Deliverance. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 40 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
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