Hexagram 16 豫 changing to hexagram 42 益
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 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 42 益, line 2
或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
The second line, divided, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the king, (having the virtues thus distinguished), employ them in presenting his offerings to God, and there will be good fortune.
Hexagram 42 益, line 3
益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
The third line, divided, shows increase given to its subject by means of what is evil, so that he shall (be led to good), and be without blame. Let him be sincere and pursue the path of the Mean, (so shall he secure the recognition of the ruler, like) an officer who announces himself to his prince by the symbol of his rank.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 16 豫 — judgment
利建侯行師。
Yü indicates that, (in the state which it implies), feudal princes may be set up, and the hosts put in motion, with advantage.
Hexagram 42 益 — judgment
利有攸往。利涉大川。
Yî indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream.
The changing lines of hexagram 16
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 鳴豫，凶。 | The first line, divided, shows its subject proclaiming his pleasure and satisfaction. There will be evil. |
| 4 | 由豫，大有得。勿疑。朋盍戠。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows him from whom the harmony and satisfaction come. Great is the success which he obtains. Let him not allow suspicions to enter his mind, and thus friends will gather around him. |
| 5 | 貞疾，恆不死。 | The fifth line, divided, shows one with a chronic complaint, but who lives on without dying. |
| 6 | 冥豫，成有渝，无咎。 | The topmost line, divided, shows its subject with darkened mind devoted to the pleasure and satisfaction (of the time); but if he change his course even when (it may be considered as) completed, there will be no error. |
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.