This term encapsulates the notion of the cyclical disappearance and reappearance of things or states. Primarily, “disappearance and reappearance” signifies the cycle of departure and return pertaining to a journey. Ancient Chinese scholars expanded upon this concept, applying it abstractly to represent the dual mechanisms of transformation in things or states of things. Here, wang (往) symbolizes disappearance and fu (复) stands for reappearance. The processes of disappearance and reappearance in things or states of things can be contradictory or alternate cyclically. Fully understanding the process of “disappearance and reappearance” and adapting to these transformations is vital to success.

Flat ground is not without tilt, and nothing that disappears fails to reappear. Despite the challenges brought by changes, integrity helps avert disaster. (The Book of Changes)