King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Hexagram 1 乾 changing to hexagram 6 訟

gān
→
sòng

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

What to read

Two changing lines: read both line texts of the original hexagram; the upper one is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)

Hexagram 1 乾, line 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.

Hexagram 1 乾, line 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.

The two hexagrams

Hexagram 1 乾 — judgment

元亨。利貞。

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

Hexagram 6 訟 — judgment

有孚,窒,惕,中吉,終凶。利見大人,不利涉大川。

Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.

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.

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.