Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
Change needs timing, reasons, and trust. Explain its purpose before seeking commitment.
This is Fatefold’s original reflective interpretation, not a word-for-word translation or a classical prediction about a modern question.
Classical line statements · bottom to top
01
初九 鞏用黃牛之革。
02
六二 已日乃革之，征吉，无咎。
03
九三 征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚。
04
九四 悔亡，有孚改命，吉。
05
九五 大人虎變，未占有孚。
06
上六 君子豹變，小人革面，征凶，居貞吉。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Li · Fire; the upper is Dui · Lake. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. Change needs timing, reasons, and trust. Explain its purpose before seeking commitment.
The Tuan discusses the judgment through polarity, position and timing. Its conditions belong with the judgment; an isolated favorable or unfavorable word does not settle a whole situation.
Great Image · from pattern to conduct
澤中有火，革，君子以治曆明時。
The Great Image turns Revolution into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to revolution fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初九 · 1
鞏用黃牛之革。
《小象》：鞏用黃牛，不可以有為也。
Stabilize conditions before beginning a change.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
六二 · 2
已日乃革之，征吉，无咎。
《小象》：巳日革之，行有嘉也。
A timely change needs a credible basis.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
九三 · 3
征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚。
《小象》：革言三就，又何之矣。
A proposal needs repeated clarification before action.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
九四 · 4
悔亡，有孚改命，吉。
《小象》：改命之吉，信志也。
Credibility makes a major change intelligible.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
九五 · 5
大人虎變，未占有孚。
《小象》：大人虎變，其文炳也。
A substantial change should have observable effects.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上六 · 6
君子豹變，小人革面，征凶，居貞吉。
《小象》：君子豹變，其文蔚也；小人革面，順以從君也。
A changed appearance may not mean equal inward change.
The top line ends this pattern; consider excess, closure and a next stage.
Relate it to your question
Separate known facts, unconfirmed information and available actions. Which part of this symbol fits, and which does not?
