Hexagram 15 謙 changing to hexagram 27 頤
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3, 6.
What to read
Three changing lines: read the judgments of the original and the resulting hexagram; the original is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)
Judgment of hexagram 15 謙
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).
Judgment of hexagram 27 頤
貞吉。觀頤,自求口實。
Î indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.
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 27 頤 — judgment
貞吉。觀頤,自求口實。
Î indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.
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. |
| 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.