Hexagram 19 臨 changing to hexagram 20 觀
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 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 20 觀, line 3
觀我生，進退。
The third line, divided, shows one looking at (the course of) his own life, to advance or recede (accordingly).
Hexagram 20 觀, line 4
觀國之光，利用賓于王。
The fourth line, divided, shows one contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It will be advantageous for him, being such as he is, (to seek) to be a guest of the king.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 19 臨 — judgment
元亨。利貞。至于八月有凶。
Lin (indicates that under the conditions supposed in it) there will be great progress and success, while it will be advantageous to be firmly correct. In the eighth month there will be evil.
Hexagram 20 觀 — judgment
盥而不薦，有孚顒若。
Kwân shows (how he whom it represents should be like) the worshipper who has washed his hands, but not (yet) presented his offerings;—with sincerity and an appearance of dignity (commanding reverent regard).
The changing lines of hexagram 19
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 咸臨，貞吉。 | The first line, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the second line). Through his firm correctness there will be good fortune. |
| 2 | 咸臨，吉无不利。 | The second line, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the first line). There will be good fortune; (advancing) will be in every way advantageous. |
| 5 | 知臨，大君之宜，吉。 | The fifth line, divided, shows the advance of wisdom, such as befits the great ruler. There will be good fortune. |
| 6 | 敦臨，吉无咎。 | The sixth line, divided, shows the advance of honesty and generosity. There will be good fortune, and 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.