遯Dun.Retreat.
Heaven rises above Mountain: strong energy withdraws beyond encroaching influence. Dun concerns strategic distance, preservation of principle and the timing of leaving before opposition dictates the terms.
Create distance before resistance becomes entrapment.
Dun appears when lesser or incompatible influences are gradually advancing. Direct confrontation would bind strong forces to an unfavourable field.
The response is measured withdrawal: preserve freedom, deny the situation unnecessary access and maintain standards without hostility. The Great Image specifies distance without hatred and firmness without aggression.
The central question is whether remaining still serves the mission—or merely feeds attachment, pride or fear of appearing to lose.
Heaven above. Mountain below.
Two yielding lines rise from below while four firm lines move upward and away. Mountain sets the boundary; Heaven preserves freedom beyond it.
Read encroachment. Reduce access. Preserve integrity. Leave before force is required.
Withdrawal succeeds when it follows time rather than wounded emotion. Small corrective actions still matter while the larger movement turns away.
Move with the time
Leave because conditions require it, not because discomfort alone dictates.
Create real distance
Do not keep destructive influence close while calling the relationship managed.
Be firm without hatred
Clean boundaries preserve energy better than emotional warfare.
Keep small matters correct
Even while withdrawing, conduct and details remain consequential.
Image principle: Mountain beneath Heaven forms Retreat. The cultivated person keeps lesser influences at a distance—not through hatred, but through dignified firmness.
Success may lie in the retreat itself.
The governing proposition
遯：亨，小利貞。
Retreat. Success. In small matters, correctness is beneficial.
The larger force withdraws, while limited correct action remains possible.
Withdraw in accordance with time
遯亨，遯而亨也。剛當位而應，與時行也。小利貞，浸而長也。遯之時義大矣哉！
Retreat succeeds precisely through retreat. Strength holds its proper place and responds by moving with the time.
The encroaching influence grows gradually; therefore the timing and meaning of withdrawal are great.
Distance without hostility
天下有山，遯；君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Mountain under Heaven: Retreat. The cultivated person keeps lesser people distant, not with hatred but with firmness.
The cleanest boundary needs neither revenge nor prolonged explanation.
Six qualities of withdrawal.
The lines progress from delayed retreat through firm attachment, entanglement, voluntary departure, exemplary withdrawal and complete release.
At the tail of retreatDo not move further once withdrawal is delayed · Changes to 13 同人
初六：遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。
Being last to leave creates exposure. Avoid dramatic movement now; reduce additional risk and stop pursuing the situation.
小象傳 · 遯尾之厲，不往何災也？If one does not go forward, what disaster can follow?
Bound with yellow oxhideHold firmly to the correct intention · Changes to 44 姤
六二：執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
Commitment to the right principle cannot be pulled loose. Inner firmness protects direction while external conditions shift.
小象傳 · 執用黃牛，固志也.Holding with yellow oxhide means making the intention firm.
Tethered retreatEntanglement creates illness and danger · Changes to 12 否
九三：係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。
Personal dependencies obstruct clean withdrawal. Manage limited obligations, but do not attempt a great undertaking while tethered.
小象傳 · 係遯之厲，有疾憊也；畜臣妾吉，不可大事也.Tethering exhausts; small management may work, but not great affairs.
Retreat from preferenceThe cultivated person can leave what is liked · Changes to 53 漸
九四：好遯，君子吉，小人否。
Preference does not override timing. Mature agency can release an attractive position; lesser character remains captured by desire.
小象傳 · 君子好遯，小人否也.The cultivated person retreats from what is liked; the lesser person cannot.
Admirable retreatCorrect intention makes withdrawal exemplary · Changes to 56 旅
九五：嘉遯，貞吉。
Departure is timely, composed and principled. Nothing needs to be vilified for the boundary to remain firm.
小象傳 · 嘉遯貞吉，以正志也.Admirable retreat is fortunate because the intention is correct.
Abundant retreatComplete freedom from entanglement benefits everything · Changes to 31 咸
上九：肥遯，無不利。
Withdrawal is spacious because doubt and attachment are gone. The path opens once no inner argument keeps returning to the old field.
小象傳 · 肥遯無不利，無所疑也.Abundant retreat benefits all because there is nothing left in doubt.
Withdraw early enough to preserve choice.
Work and leadership
Use Dun when the field rewards compromise, drains authority or makes good work impossible.
- Reduce exposure before announcing departure.
- Preserve assets, knowledge and optionality.
- Exit without unnecessary hostility.
Relationships
Distance may be the most honest form of boundary.
- Do not maintain access out of guilt.
- Release preference when timing has changed.
- Avoid turning separation into punishment.
Timing and decisions
The advantage lies in leaving before confrontation becomes compulsory.
- Notice gradual encroachment.
- Keep small details correct during exit.
- Do not confuse delayed flight with strategy.
Dun is constructive when distance preserves principle, capacity and future action.
Aligned expression
- Withdrawal responds to timing and evidence.
- Boundaries are firm without hatred.
- Obligations are disentangled deliberately.
- Energy and optionality are preserved.
Distorted expression
- Withdrawal is delayed by pride.
- Escape substitutes for clear boundaries.
- Attachment keeps the retreat tethered.
- Departure is staged as revenge.