Hexagram 17 隨 changing to hexagram 23 剝
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 23 剝, line 2
剝牀以辨，蔑貞凶。
The second line, divided, shows one overthrowing the couch by injuring its frame. (The injury will go on to) the destruction of (all) firm correctness, and there will be evil.
Hexagram 23 剝, line 3
剝之，无咎。
The third line, divided, shows its subject among the overthrowers; but there will be no error.
The two hexagrams
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.
Hexagram 23 剝 — judgment
不利。有攸往。
Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.
The changing lines of hexagram 17
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。 | The first line, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will he good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit. |
| 4 | 隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall? |
| 5 | 孚于嘉，吉。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune. |
| 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. |
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.