Hexagram 24: Return

Trigrams

Upper trigram: Kun (Earth) · Lower trigram: Zhen (Thunder)

Judgment

Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends come without blame. The way returns in cycles; after seven days comes return. Favorable to have somewhere to go.

Image

Thunder within the earth: return. The ancient kings closed the passes on the solstice; merchants did not travel, and the ruler did not tour the provinces.

Meaning of Hexagram Return

Return (復) is hexagram #24 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams, formed by the upper trigram Kun (Earth) and lower trigram Zhen (Thunder). It represents a turning point where renewal begins after decline. When this hexagram is cast, the querent should meditate on the judgment and image to grasp what the Yi is saying about the current situation.

The Six Lines Explained

First Line (Nine at the Beginning)

"Bu yuan fu, wu qi hui, yuan ji — Returning before going far; no great regret; supreme good fortune"

Though there is a fault, one returns to the good before going far, without deep regret — supremely fortunate. The best line of the hexagram, likened to Yan Hui (Confucius's disciple), who recognised and corrected his errors at once, never repeating them.

Second Line (Six in the Second Place)

"Xiu fu, ji — A fine return; good fortune"

A beautiful return: good fortune. A yielding line that nonetheless holds correct centrality, achieving good through closeness to and learning from the noble one (first line).

Third Line (Six in the Third Place)

"Pin fu, li, wu jiu — Repeated returning; danger, but no blame"

Erring and returning again and again; somewhat perilous, but the outcome is without blame. A line lacking steadiness, relapsing repeatedly yet still finding its way back to the right path, thereby avoiding serious consequences.

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place)

"Zhong xing, du fu — Walking in the middle, returning alone"

Standing among lesser people yet alone choosing to return to the noble one's path. Praised for holding firmly to the correct stance despite surrounding negative influences.

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place)

"Dun fu, wu hui — A generous return; no regret"

With deep virtue, returning to goodness: no regret. A line in a noble position, of fine character, firmly correcting itself.

Top Line (Six at the Top)

"Mi fu, xiong, you zai sheng. Yong xing shi, zhong you da bai — Missing the return; misfortune, with calamity; if troops are used, there will be great defeat"

Deluded, unable to return, meeting calamity; if force is used to suppress, great defeat follows, harming the whole nation for as long as ten years without improvement. The worst line, warning of the severe consequences of stubbornness and refusal to change.

The Transformed Hexagram

The inner trigram is Zhen (Thunder), the outer is Kun (Earth) — the inverse of hexagram 23, Splitting Apart. This hexagram marks the beginning of the cycle of growing yang (Return → Approach → Peace → Great Strength → Breakthrough → Force). Identify the exact moving line for the correct transformation.

Applications by Area of Life

Work & Career

A favourable hexagram, marking the return of good fortune after a difficult period (the preceding hexagram Bo). Recognise and correct mistakes quickly (as in the first line) to seize this new beginning.

Love & Relationships

A good time to mend and repair cracks in the relationship. Sincerely acknowledging faults and correcting them promptly (as in lines 1 and 2) brings positive results.

Health

The image of “returning” suggests the possibility of recovering health after a weakened period. Correct bad habits as soon as the problem is recognised for the best effect.

Wealth

A favourable time to restore finances after a difficult period. Correct earlier mistakes in financial management and start afresh with a new plan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Return

What does hexagram Fu (Return) mean?

Fu means “to return.” This hexagram marks the start of a new cycle, when the positive (yang) element begins to return after a period of decline (hexagram Bo) — symbolising correcting mistakes and returning to the right path.

Why is Fu favourable when it directly follows Bo (decline)?

Because this is the law of “things reaching an extreme reverse” — when decline reaches its peak (hexagram Bo), it inevitably turns into a phase of recovery (hexagram Fu), marking a positive turning point after hardship.

Why is Yan Hui mentioned in connection with this hexagram?

Because the first line symbolises recognising and correcting a fault immediately, never letting it recur — the very quality Confucius praised in his disciple Yan Hui, who “upon having a fault, knew it at once; upon knowing it, corrected it at once, and never made the same mistake twice.”