24. Fu | Return
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
复：亨。出入无疾，朋来无咎。反复其道，七日来复，利有攸往。
English translation
Fu / Return: Return: progress is indicated. Ingoing and outgoing are without illness, and friends arrive without blame. Its course repeats and returns in seven days; it is favorable to act.
This is the judgment of Fu (Return), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
初九：不远复，无祇悔，元吉。
English translation
First Nine: Return comes before going far. There is no regret at all, and the result is greatly auspicious.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
Original Chinese text
六二：休复，吉。
English translation
Second Six: A rested return is auspicious.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
六三：频复，厉，无咎。
English translation
Third Six: Returning repeatedly brings danger, yet there is no blame.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “danger” calls for vigilance.
Original Chinese text
六四：中行独复。
English translation
Fourth Six: Return is made alone and in the middle way.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
六五：敦复，无悔。
English translation
Fifth Six: A sincere return is made; there is no regret.
The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
Original Chinese text
上六：迷复，凶，有灾眚。用行师，终有大败，以其国君凶，至于十年不克征。
English translation
Top Six: A mistaken return is dangerous and brings disaster. If troops are mobilized, it ends in great defeat; the ruler is in danger, and ten years pass without victory in expedition.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “misfortune” marks serious risk.