Hexagram 17 隨 changing to hexagram 9 小畜
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 2, 3, 4, 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 9 小畜, line 1
復自道，何其咎，吉。
The first line, undivided, shows its subject returning and pursuing his own course. What mistake should he fall into? There will be good fortune.
Hexagram 9 小畜, line 5
有孚攣如，富以其鄰。
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject possessed of sincerity, and drawing others to unite with him. Rich in resources, he employs his neighbours (in the same cause with himself).
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 9 小畜 — judgment
亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。
Hsiâo Khû indicates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. (We see) dense clouds, but no rain coming from our borders in the west.
The changing lines of hexagram 17
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 3 | 係丈夫，失小子。隨，有求得利，居貞。 | The third line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct. |
| 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? |
| 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.