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易經 Yìjīng · Book of Changes

Hexagram 49: Revolution

革 Gé

Hexagram 49 of 64 · Lake over Fire · Wilhelm-Baynes translation

Master Wei Lin

By Master Wei Lin · Updated August 3, 2026

Chinese Metaphysics Scholar

What is Hexagram 49, Revolution?

Hexagram 49, Revolution (革 Gé), is built from Lake (兌 Duì) over Fire (離 Lí), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as revolution, transformation, renewal. 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 49 is built from Lake (兌 Duì) over Fire (離 Lí).
  • Its central themes, revolution, transformation, renewal, timing, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
  • The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Malachite 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.
Trigram structure
Upper: Lake (兌 Duì)Lower: Fire (離 Lí)Lake over Firerevolutiontransformationrenewaltimingconviction
The judgment

The Judgment

Revolution. On your own day you are believed. Supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Remorse disappears.
The image

The Image

Fire in the lake: the image of Revolution. Thus the superior person sets the calendar in order and makes the seasons clear.

Master Wei Lin's Interpretation

Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling

Fire beneath the lake, two elements that destroy each other, creating transformation. Revolution speaks of fundamental change: not cosmetic adjustment but structural transformation. Your question has arrived at a moment where the old form must give way to the new. The I-Ching says: wait until the right day, then act with conviction. Revolution carried out at the right time, for the right reasons, with the right preparation, this is not destruction but renewal.

The moving lines

The Six Lines

When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.

Line 1 (bottom)

Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow.

Line 2

When one's own day comes, one may create revolution. Starting brings good fortune. No blame.

Line 3

Starting brings misfortune. Perseverance brings danger. When talk of revolution has gone the rounds three times, one may commit oneself, and others will believe.

Line 4

Remorse disappears. Others believe you. Changing the form of government brings good fortune.

Line 5

The great person changes like a tiger. Even before questioning the oracle, they are believed.

Line 6 (top)

The superior person changes like a panther. The inferior person molts in the face. Starting brings misfortune. To remain persevering brings good fortune.

The stone

🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 49

Malachite

Hold Malachite while meditating on Revolution. Its energy resonates with the themes of revolution, transformation, renewal.

Shop Malachite
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hexagram 49 (Revolution) mean?

In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 49, Revolution (革 Gé), is read through Lake (兌 Duì) over Fire (離 Lí). The classical sources describe its themes as revolution, transformation, renewal. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.

What is the Judgment for Revolution?

The Judgment reads: "Revolution. On your own day you are believed. Supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Remorse disappears.", 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 Revolution?

The Image reads: "Fire in the lake: the image of Revolution. Thus the superior person sets the calendar in order and makes the seasons clear.", 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 49?

Malachite is the traditional pairing for Revolution. 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 49 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.

Along the sequence

More Hexagrams

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About this tool

This tool draws on traditional I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng, Book of Changes) practices. These are spiritual and reflective traditions, not medical or psychological treatments. Many people find these practices supportive for self-reflection and emotional well-being, but they should not be used as a substitute for professional care.

Hexagram texts are drawn from the Wilhelm-Baynes public-domain translation of the 易經 (Yìjīng / I-Ching). Interpretations are written in the voice of Master Wei Lin, our Chinese metaphysics scholar, for modern reflection, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling.

For entertainment and self-reflection. Not a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice.

Results are personal and vary from one person to the next. What many people find supportive may not work the same way for you, and nothing here is a promise of any specific result.

If you are experiencing significant emotional or physical distress, please consult a qualified professional.

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