Hexagram 43 of the I Ching: Guai, Breakthrough (夬), meaning and lines
Guai, Breakthrough: Lake above Heaven. An image of a frank decision that removes a last obstacle, by speaking openly rather than imposing oneself by force.
Key points
| Number | 43 of 64 (King Wen sequence) |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | Guai (夬) |
| Approximate pronunciation | “gwai” |
| Lower trigram | ☰ Qian, Heaven |
| Upper trigram | ☱ Dui, Lake |
| Lines (bottom to top) | yang, yang, yang, yang, yang, yin |
| Opposite hexagram | No. 23, Bo, Splitting Apart |
| Other names | Determination, Resoluteness, Decision |
Hexagram 43 at a glance
Guai (夬) is the 43rd hexagram of the I Ching. The character means “to cut through, to break open, to decide” (it recalls a notch or an archer’s thumb ring). It is translated as “Breakthrough”, “Determination” or “Resoluteness”.
Five solid lines press upward toward a single broken line at the top: the momentum is almost complete, and only one point of weakness remains to be cleared.
The two trigrams
A hexagram is read from bottom to top. The lower trigram, called the lower or inner one, is Qian (Heaven); the upper trigram, called the upper or outer one, is Dui (Lake). The bottom represents the base of the situation, the top its context or outcome. The Lake has risen above Heaven: rain is about to fall, and the tension is about to be resolved. The image commentary invites the noble person to distribute their wealth downward and not to dwell on their own virtue, which would be pride.
Line diagram, from the first to the sixth: yang, yang, yang, yang, yang, yin. In the King Wen sequence, this hexagram forms a pair with No. 44, Gou, Coming to Meet. Its opposite (all lines inverted) is No. 23, Bo, Splitting Apart, and its reverse (read from top to bottom) is No. 44, Gou, Coming to Meet. Its nuclear hexagram, formed by the central lines, is No. 1, Qian, The Creative.
The judgment, in brief
The judgment recommends proclaiming the matter at the royal court and making a sincere appeal, while knowing that it is dangerous. One first warns one’s own circle, avoids taking up arms, but it is favorable to set out.
Resolution is therefore carried out openly: clarity and speech come before force.
General meaning
Guai describes a moment of decision: a slow problem that needs settling, an explanation that is necessary, a break with what has been dragging on. The tradition reads the last broken line as a weak element to be eliminated, but it is better to read it as a point of blockage rather than a person to be pushed aside.
The method proposed is transparency: say things, rally your circle, avoid violence. Force alone, or haste, is presented here as a danger.
The six lines, one by one
Lines are counted from bottom to top. These very short paraphrases do not replace reading a full translation.
| Line | Image and idea |
|---|---|
| 1 (yang) | Force in the toes: advancing without being sure of winning is to put yourself in error. |
| 2 (yang) | A cry of alarm, weapons at night: stay vigilant; there is no need to worry. |
| 3 (yang) | Force in the cheekbones: visible harshness brings misfortune; the noble person carries on alone, wipes off the rain, grumbles, without fault. |
| 4 (yang) | With skinned buttocks, one walks with difficulty; leading a sheep makes regret disappear, but advice is not heeded. |
| 5 (yang) | Pulling up the amaranth with determination, at the centre: without fault. |
| 6 (yin) | No cry: in the end, misfortune. |
Moving lines and the resulting hexagram
A moving line (a total of 6 or 9 when the three coins are cast) changes into its opposite and gives a second hexagram, the resulting hexagram, which describes the direction the situation is taking. Here, lines 1 to 5 are yang, and line 6 is yin. Five solid lines and one broken: line 6, at the top, is the only yin, the one the decision must clear. Line 5, yang and ruling, is illustrated by the resolute pulling up of the amaranth.
| If the moving line is | Resulting hexagram |
|---|---|
| 1 (yang becomes yin) | No. 28, Da Guo, Preponderance of the Great |
| 2 (yang becomes yin) | No. 49, Ge, Revolution |
| 3 (yang becomes yin) | No. 58, Dui, The Joyous |
| 4 (yang becomes yin) | No. 5, Xu, Waiting |
| 5 (yang becomes yin) | No. 34, Da Zhuang, The Power of the Great |
| 6 (yin becomes yang) | No. 1, Qian, The Creative |
Six moving lines give the opposite, No. 23, Bo, Splitting Apart. With several moving lines, schools of interpretation disagree on which one to give priority.
A modern reading, with caution
Guai can accompany a moment of decision: setting a limit, ending a situation that drags on, speaking a truth. It advises doing so openly and without violence.
- At work: raise the problem openly rather than working around it.
- In relationships: say clearly what needs to be said, without hostility.
- For yourself: settle an indecision, relying on your values.
Reminder: the I Ching is a book of wisdom and oracle, a tool for reflection and not a prediction; it does not replace medical, financial, legal or safety advice.
Questions to reflect on
- Which point of blockage have I let linger?
- How can I name it without attacking anyone?
- Who should I inform before acting?
- Is my determination firmness or harshness?
Mistakes to avoid
- Forcing your way through: the text recommends speech, not weapons.
- Rushing without warning those concerned.
- Seeing someone as “the element to eliminate”: the I Ching describes a process, not an enemy.
Frequently asked questions
What does hexagram 43 of the I Ching mean?
Guai, Breakthrough, evokes a frank decision that removes a last obstacle, through speech and clarity rather than force.
Which trigrams make up Guai?
Heaven (Qian) below and Lake (Dui) above.
What does the broken line at the top represent?
According to tradition, an element that still resists; today it is read as a blockage rather than as a person.
Which hexagram is paired with Guai?
No. 44, Gou, Coming to Meet: the decision and what emerges afterward.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to The 64 hexagrams of the Yi King.