Hexagram 15 謙 changing to hexagram 17 隨
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3, 4, 5.
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 17 隨, line 2
係小子，失丈夫。
The second line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.
Hexagram 17 隨, line 6
拘係之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
The topmost line, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.
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 17 隨 — judgment
元亨。利貞。无咎。
Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.
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. |
| 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. |
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.