Hexagram 18 蠱 changing to hexagram 15 謙
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 2, 6.
What to read
Two changing lines: read both line texts of the original hexagram; the upper one is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)
Hexagram 18 蠱, line 6
不事王侯，高尚其事。
The sixth line, undivided, shows us one who does not serve either king or feudal lord, but in a lofty spirit prefers (to attend to) his own affairs.
Hexagram 18 蠱, line 2
幹母之蠱，不可貞。
The second line, undivided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his mother. He should not (carry) his firm correctness (to the utmost).
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 18 蠱 — judgment
元亨。利涉大川。先甲三日，後甲三日。
Kû indicates great progress and success (to him who deals properly with the condition represented by it). There will be advantage in (efforts like that of) crossing the great stream. (He should weigh well, however, the events of) three days before the turning point, and those (to be done) three days after it.
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).
The changing lines of hexagram 18
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 幹母之蠱，不可貞。 | The second line, undivided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his mother. He should not (carry) his firm correctness (to the utmost). |
| 6 | 不事王侯，高尚其事。 | The sixth line, undivided, shows us one who does not serve either king or feudal lord, but in a lofty spirit prefers (to attend to) his own affairs. |
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.