Hexagram 15 謙 changing to hexagram 1 乾
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 4, 5, 6.
What to read
Five changing lines: read the one unchanged line of the resulting hexagram. (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.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 15 謙 — judgment
亨,君子有終。
Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).
Hexagram 1 乾 — judgment
元亨。利貞。
Khien (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.
The changing lines of hexagram 15
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 謙謙君子,用涉大川,吉。 | The first line, divided, shows us the superior man who adds humility to humility. (Even) the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune. |
| 2 | 鳴謙,貞吉。 | The second line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. With firm correctness there will be good fortune. |
| 4 | 无不利,撝謙。 | The fourth line, divided, shows one, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirring up (the more) his humility. |
| 5 | 不富,以其鄰,利用侵伐,无不利。 | The fifth line, divided, shows one who, without being rich, is able to employ his neighbours. He may advantageously use the force of arms. All his movements will be advantageous. |
| 6 | 鳴謙,利用行師,征邑國。 | The sixth line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. The subject of it will with advantage put his hosts in motion; but (he will only) punish his own towns and state. |
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.