Hsieh / Deliverance

above: Ch^ en The Arousing, Thunder
below: K'an The Abysmal, Water

In Kieh advantage will be found in the southwest. If no (further) operations be called for, there will be good fortune in coming back (to the old conditions). If some operations are called for, there will be good fortune in the early conducting of them.

Overall Meaning

Loosening, the symbol of deliverance

Kieh is the symbol of loosing, - untying a knot or unravelling a complication; and as the name of this hexagram, it denotes a condition in which the obstruction and difficulty indicated by the preceding Chien have been removed. The object of the author is to show, as if from the lines of the figure, how this new and better state of the kingdom is to be dealt with. See what is said on the Thwan of Chien for 'the advantage to be found in the southwest'. If further active operations be not necessary to complete the subjugation of the country, the sooner things fall into their old channels the better. The new masters of the kingdom should not be anxious to change all the old manners and ways. Let them do, as the Duke of Kau actually did do with the subjugated people of Shang. If further operations be necessary, let them be carried through without delay. Nothing is said in the Thwan about the discountenancing and removal of small men, - unworthy ministers or officers; but that subject appears in more than one of the lines.