Hexagram 43
Breakthrough (Resoluteness)
夬 (Guài)
Lake over Heaven
Hexagram 43 represents the decisive moment of breakthrough when accumulated strength finally overcomes remaining obstacles. This hexagram symbolizes the power of resolute determination and the necessity of confronting what must be eliminated. Like water breaking through a dam, this is the time when clarity of purpose and unified action bring about necessary change. The five strong yang lines pushing out the single yin line at the top illustrate the overwhelming force of truth and righteousness displacing what is inferior or corrupt. Success comes through firm resolve combined with proper caution and moral integrity.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Breakthrough. One must resolutely make the matter known at the court of the king. It must be announced truthfully. Danger. It is necessary to notify one's own city. It does not further to resort to arms. It furthers one to undertake something."
Hexagram 43 teaches the essential wisdom of confronting inferior elements with resolute determination while maintaining moral integrity and transparency. The breakthrough moment arrives when accumulated strength reaches critical mass, making decisive action both necessary and possible. This hexagram emphasizes that true resolution requires public declaration and honest communication rather than secretive plotting or violent force. When confronting what must be displaced, the superior person acts with courage but also with proper caution, understanding that hasty aggression undermines the moral foundation of the breakthrough itself. The image of announcing matters at the royal court symbolizes the importance of acting in accordance with higher principles and established order.
The warning against resorting to arms reveals profound wisdom about the nature of lasting change. While the situation demands firmness and resolution, violence and aggression create new problems rather than solving existing ones. Instead, breakthrough comes through the power of truth, moral clarity, and unified purpose. The danger mentioned in the judgment acknowledges that confronting inferior elements always involves risk, but this risk must be faced with eyes open and preparations made. Success requires both the courage to act decisively and the wisdom to act correctly, ensuring that the breakthrough leads to genuine improvement rather than merely replacing one problem with another.
The Image (大象传)
君子以施禄及下，居德则忌。
Translation: "The lake has risen up to heaven: the image of Breakthrough. Thus the superior person dispenses riches downward and refrains from resting on his virtue."
The image of the lake rising above heaven presents a powerful natural metaphor for the breakthrough moment. Water naturally seeks the lowest level, yet here it has accumulated to such heights that it must break through and flow downward. This illustrates how concentrated strength, when it reaches a critical point, naturally seeks release and resolution. The superior person observes this natural principle and applies it to human affairs, understanding that accumulated resources, power, or virtue must flow outward to benefit others rather than being hoarded. Just as water breaking through brings life-giving moisture to the land below, the wise leader shares abundance generously with those in need.
The warning against resting on one's virtue carries profound significance for personal development and leadership. Complacency represents a subtle form of the inferior element that must be displaced through constant breakthrough. The moment we become satisfied with our current level of virtue or achievement, stagnation begins and decline follows. True breakthrough requires ongoing self-examination and the willingness to confront our own limitations and inferior tendencies. By dispensing benefits to others and refusing to rest on past accomplishments, we maintain the dynamic energy of breakthrough and prevent the accumulation of new obstacles.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"Mighty in the forward-striding toes. When one goes and is not equal to the task, one makes a mistake."
This line warns against premature action driven by excessive confidence. While strength and determination are present, rushing forward without adequate preparation or support leads to failure. The image of mighty toes suggests strength in the wrong place—power concentrated at the extremity rather than in the center. Before initiating your breakthrough, ensure you have sufficient resources, allies, and strategic positioning. Enthusiasm must be tempered with realistic assessment of the challenges ahead. Wait until your strength is fully consolidated before making your decisive move.
Nine in the Second Place (九二)
Second line - Yang
"A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and at night. Fear nothing."
Vigilance and preparedness characterize this line. The breakthrough moment requires constant alertness to potential dangers and opposition. Like a sentry maintaining watch through the night, you must remain aware of threats while not succumbing to paralyzing fear. This balanced position of cautious readiness without anxiety represents the ideal attitude during times of decisive action. Maintain your defenses and stay alert, but do not let worry prevent you from moving forward. Your central position and inner strength provide security even amid external threats and uncertainties.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"To be powerful in the cheekbones brings misfortune. The superior person is firmly resolved. He walks alone and encounters rain. If he is bespattered, there is talk. No blame."
This line addresses the challenge of maintaining resolve when facing criticism or isolation. Aggressive display of strength, symbolized by prominent cheekbones, creates opposition and misfortune. Instead, quiet determination and willingness to stand alone when necessary mark the superior approach. You may encounter resistance or criticism from those who misunderstand your intentions, like being caught in rain. Others may gossip or express displeasure at your independent action. However, if your resolve is based on principle rather than ego, you will ultimately be vindicated. Accept temporary discomfort and misunderstanding as the price of doing what is right.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"There is no skin on his thighs, and walking comes hard. If a man were to let himself be led like a sheep, remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard, they will not be believed."
This line reveals the difficulty of maintaining forward momentum when you have advanced too far ahead of your support base. Like walking with injured thighs, progress becomes painful and difficult. The remedy lies in accepting guidance and moving with others rather than insisting on independent action. However, pride often prevents us from hearing this wise counsel. You face a choice between stubborn persistence that leads to exhaustion or humble cooperation that restores ease of movement. The challenge is recognizing when determination has become obstinacy and when independence has become isolation.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"In dealing with weeds, firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle remains free of blame."
The ruler's position demands unwavering resolution in eliminating inferior elements, symbolized by weeds that must be removed. However, this firmness must be balanced with moderation and fairness, represented by walking the middle path. As a leader or person of influence, you cannot afford to be soft on what undermines the greater good, yet you must also avoid excessive harshness or vindictiveness. Your central position gives you both the authority and responsibility to act decisively while maintaining justice and proportion. Breakthrough at this level requires both strength of will and wisdom of application.
Six at the Top (上六)
Top line - Yin
"No cry. In the end misfortune comes."
The top line represents the inferior element that must be displaced, now isolated and without support. Silence and lack of warning characterize this position—the danger that goes unrecognized until too late. If you find yourself in this position, you have failed to heed earlier warnings and now face inevitable consequences. The lesson is clear: when you are the obstacle to breakthrough, whether through outdated attitudes, harmful behaviors, or resistance to necessary change, misfortune becomes unavoidable. The only wisdom is to recognize this position early and voluntarily transform before being forcibly displaced by circumstances.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of the heart, hexagram 43 signals a critical moment when unhealthy patterns or toxic elements must be decisively addressed and eliminated from your relationship. This is not a time for gentle hints or passive hoping that problems will resolve themselves. Whether dealing with dishonesty, disrespect, harmful behaviors, or fundamental incompatibilities, breakthrough requires clear communication and firm boundaries. For those in relationships, this hexagram calls for honest conversations about what cannot continue, conducted with courage but also with respect and clarity. The goal is not destruction but transformation through the removal of what prevents genuine intimacy and mutual growth.
For singles, hexagram 43 indicates the need to break through self-defeating patterns in how you approach relationships. This might mean finally letting go of an ex who still occupies emotional space, confronting fears that prevent vulnerability, or decisively ending the pattern of choosing unavailable partners. The breakthrough comes when you clearly identify what must change and commit fully to that change. However, remember the hexagram's warning against resorting to aggression—breakthrough in love requires firm resolve without bitterness or blame. Announce your boundaries clearly, both to yourself and others, then maintain them with quiet determination.
The danger mentioned in the judgment applies particularly to romantic breakthrough moments. Confronting relationship problems or changing ingrained patterns always involves risk of conflict, temporary loneliness, or painful realizations. Yet avoiding this necessary breakthrough leads to greater misfortune in the long run. Approach relationship changes with both courage and wisdom, ensuring your actions align with your highest values rather than reactive emotions. The breakthrough that comes from principled resolve creates space for healthier love to emerge, whether through transformation of an existing relationship or readiness for a new one built on firmer foundations.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 43 represents the decisive moment when accumulated problems, inefficiencies, or toxic workplace dynamics must be confronted and resolved. This might manifest as the need to address underperforming team members, eliminate outdated processes, confront unethical practices, or make the difficult decision to leave a situation that no longer serves your growth. The hexagram's emphasis on announcing matters at the royal court translates to the importance of formal, transparent processes rather than behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Document issues clearly, communicate through proper channels, and ensure your actions align with organizational values and professional standards. Breakthrough in career requires both courage and strategic wisdom.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this hexagram signals the time to make hard decisions about what must be cut from your business to ensure its health and growth. This could mean discontinuing unprofitable product lines, ending partnerships that drain resources, or restructuring operations to eliminate inefficiencies. The five strong lines overwhelming the single weak line illustrates that when the evidence clearly points to necessary change, delay only compounds the problem. However, the warning against resorting to arms reminds us that business breakthrough should come through strategic planning and clear communication rather than aggressive tactics that damage relationships or reputation. Make decisive cuts, but do so professionally and ethically.
The image of dispensing riches downward offers crucial guidance for career advancement during breakthrough times. As you eliminate obstacles and rise to new levels of success, share the benefits with those who supported your journey and those who work under your leadership. Breakthrough that benefits only yourself creates resentment and new obstacles. Instead, use your advancing position to lift others, mentor junior colleagues, and contribute to organizational improvement beyond your immediate interests. This generous approach ensures that your breakthrough creates lasting positive change rather than merely shifting problems to new forms. Your reputation for principled action and generosity will open doors that aggressive self-promotion never could.
Health & Wellness (健康)
In health matters, hexagram 43 calls for decisive action to eliminate habits, substances, or patterns that undermine your wellbeing. This is the moment to finally quit smoking, end the cycle of yo-yo dieting, address the addiction you've been minimizing, or confront the stress patterns that are destroying your health. The breakthrough comes not from gentle resolutions but from firm, unwavering commitment backed by concrete action. Like announcing at the royal court, make your health commitments public to friends, family, or support groups—this external accountability strengthens resolve. However, remember the warning against violence: harsh, punitive approaches to health change often backfire. Choose firm determination combined with self-compassion and realistic planning.
The hexagram's emphasis on danger and preparedness applies directly to health breakthrough moments. Eliminating long-standing unhealthy patterns often triggers withdrawal symptoms, emotional resistance, or temporary worsening before improvement begins. Prepare for these challenges by building support systems, educating yourself about what to expect, and creating environmental conditions that support your breakthrough. If addressing serious health issues, work with qualified professionals who can guide you safely through the transition. The danger is real, but so is the necessity of action—continuing on your current path leads to certain decline, while breakthrough offers the possibility of renewed vitality and wellbeing.
The image of the lake rising above heaven suggests that health problems often result from accumulation—of toxins, stress, poor habits, or unaddressed issues—that has reached an unsustainable level. Your body is signaling that breakthrough must occur. Listen to these signals and act decisively before crisis forces change upon you. At the same time, the counsel to dispense riches downward reminds us that personal health breakthrough should inspire and support others. Share your journey, offer encouragement to those facing similar challenges, and use your experience to contribute to collective wellbeing. Health transformation that remains purely self-focused misses the deeper opportunity for meaningful contribution and connection.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 43 indicates the critical need to eliminate debt, cut wasteful spending, or break free from financial patterns that prevent prosperity. This is not a time for gradual adjustment but for decisive financial breakthrough. If debt has accumulated to unsustainable levels, create a clear plan to eliminate it and commit fully to that plan. If spending habits consistently undermine your financial security, identify the specific behaviors that must stop and implement concrete systems to prevent them. The hexagram's emphasis on announcing at court translates to the importance of transparency and accountability—share your financial goals with a trusted advisor, partner, or support group who can help you maintain resolve when temptation arises.
For investors and business owners, this hexagram signals the time to cut losses on failing investments or business ventures. The single weak line being displaced by five strong lines illustrates that when the evidence clearly shows an investment or strategy is not working, holding on from stubbornness or hope only increases losses. Make the hard decision to exit positions that drain resources, even if this means accepting a loss. However, the warning against resorting to arms cautions against panic selling or aggressive financial moves driven by fear. Instead, make calculated decisions based on clear analysis, proper timing, and strategic planning. Breakthrough requires both courage to act and wisdom to act correctly.
The image teaching about dispensing riches downward offers profound guidance for financial breakthrough. As you eliminate debt and build wealth, resist the temptation to hoard or spend solely on personal luxury. Instead, use your improving financial position to help family members, contribute to worthy causes, or invest in ventures that create broader prosperity. This generous approach not only aligns with higher principles but also creates networks of goodwill and opportunity that support continued financial growth. Financial breakthrough that serves only selfish ends often proves temporary, while breakthrough that includes others in its benefits creates lasting prosperity and meaningful satisfaction beyond mere accumulation.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 43 represents a pivotal moment in personal development when you must decisively confront and eliminate aspects of yourself that prevent growth. This might be the ego patterns that sabotage relationships, the fear that prevents you from pursuing your calling, the resentments that poison your peace, or the limiting beliefs that keep you small. Breakthrough requires honest self-examination to identify what must go, followed by unwavering commitment to transformation. The process is not gentle—true breakthrough means confronting uncomfortable truths about yourself and making changes that may feel threatening to your current identity. Yet this is precisely the work that separates those who genuinely evolve from those who merely talk about growth.
The hexagram's warning against resting on virtue carries special significance for personal development. Spiritual pride and self-satisfaction represent subtle forms of the inferior element that must be continually displaced. The moment you believe you have arrived, that you have achieved sufficient wisdom or virtue, stagnation begins. True breakthrough in personal growth requires ongoing humility and willingness to discover new layers of self-deception, new areas requiring development, new opportunities for transformation. This doesn't mean harsh self-judgment, but rather the kind of honest, compassionate self-awareness that recognizes there is always further to go, always more to learn, always deeper levels of authenticity and wisdom to discover.
The counsel to announce matters at the royal court translates to the importance of making your growth commitments conscious and, when appropriate, public. Write down the specific patterns you are eliminating and the new behaviors you are cultivating. Share your intentions with trusted friends or mentors who can support your transformation and hold you accountable. Join groups or communities aligned with your growth goals. This external structure strengthens internal resolve and provides support during difficult moments of the breakthrough process. Remember that personal transformation, while deeply individual, is supported by community and connection. Your breakthrough inspires others and their support sustains you through the challenges of genuine change.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing of hexagram 43 is decisive and urgent—this is the moment when accumulated strength makes breakthrough both possible and necessary. Delay now means missing the optimal window for action, allowing problems to deepen or opportunities to pass. However, urgency must be balanced with proper preparation and strategic wisdom. Before initiating your breakthrough, ensure you have clearly identified what must be eliminated, gathered necessary resources and support, and developed a realistic plan for action. The hexagram teaches that breakthrough requires both the courage to act decisively and the wisdom to act correctly. Rushing forward without adequate preparation leads to the failure warned about in the first line, while excessive caution means missing the critical moment entirely.
The advice of hexagram 43 centers on maintaining moral integrity and transparency throughout the breakthrough process. Whatever you are eliminating or confronting, do so openly, honestly, and in accordance with higher principles. Avoid secretive plotting, aggressive tactics, or actions motivated by personal vendetta rather than genuine necessity. The power of breakthrough comes not from force but from the clarity and righteousness of your purpose combined with unwavering resolve. Announce your intentions clearly, act with firm determination, but also maintain awareness of the dangers involved and take appropriate precautions. This balanced approach—decisive yet cautious, firm yet principled—creates breakthrough that leads to lasting positive change rather than merely replacing one problem with another.
Finally, remember the image's teaching about dispensing riches downward and not resting on virtue. As you experience breakthrough in any area of life, share the benefits with others and resist complacency about your achievements. Breakthrough is not a destination but a recurring necessity—what must be eliminated today may take new forms tomorrow, requiring continued vigilance and renewed resolve. Cultivate the attitude of ongoing breakthrough, always willing to confront new obstacles, always ready to let go of what no longer serves, always committed to growth and improvement. This dynamic approach to life ensures that you remain vital, relevant, and continually evolving rather than becoming the stagnant element that future breakthrough must displace.