King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Hexagram 1 乾 changing to hexagram 29 坎

gān
→
kǎn

Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3, 4, 6.

What to read

Four changing lines: read the two unchanged lines of the resulting hexagram; the lower one is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)

Hexagram 29 坎, line 2

坎有險,求小得。

The second line, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little (of the deliverance) that he seeks.

Hexagram 29 坎, line 5

坎不盈,禔既平,无咎。

The fifth line, undivided, shows the water of the defile not yet full, (so that it might flow away); but order will (soon) be brought about. There will be no error.

The two hexagrams

Hexagram 1 乾 — judgment

元亨。利貞。

Khien (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.

Hexagram 29 坎 — judgment

習坎:有孚,維心亨。行有尚。

Khan, here repeated, shows the possession of sincerity, through which the mind is. penetrating. Action (in accordance with this) will be of high value.

The changing lines of hexagram 1

LineChineseLegge
1潛龍勿用。In the first (or lowest) line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon lying hid (in the deep). It is not the time for active doing.
3君子終日乾乾,夕惕若;厲,无咎。In the third line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the superior man active and vigilant all the day, and in the evening still careful and apprehensive. (The position is) dangerous, but there will be no mistake.
4或躍在淵,无咎。In the fourth line, undivided, (we see its subject as the dragon looking) as if he were leaping up, but still in the deep. There will be no mistake.
6亢龍,有悔。In the sixth (or topmost) line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon exceeding the proper limits. There will be occasion for repentance.

English: James Legge (1882), public domain. Chinese: Zhou Yi.

Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0); Chinese Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.