Hexagram 15 謙 changing to hexagram 12 否
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 3, 4, 5, 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 12 否, line 1
拔茅茹以其彙，貞吉。亨。
The first line, divided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. With firm correctness (on the part of its subject), there will be good fortune and progress.
Hexagram 12 否, line 2
包承，小人吉，大人否。亨。
The second line, divided, shows its subject patient and obedient. To the small man (comporting himself so) there will be good fortune. If the great man (comport himself) as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.
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 12 否 — judgment
否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。
In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.
The changing lines of hexagram 15
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 勞謙君子，有終吉。 | The third line, undivided, shows the superior man of (acknowledged) merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have 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.