Hexagram 2 坤 changing to hexagram 33 遯
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 3, 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 33 遯, line 1
遯尾，厲，勿用有攸往。
The first line, divided, shows a retiring tail. The position is perilous. No movement in any direction should be made.
Hexagram 33 遯, line 2
執之用黃牛之革，莫之勝說。
The second line, divided, shows its subject holding (his purpose) fast as if by a (thong made from the) hide of a yellow ox, which cannot be broken.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 2 坤 — judgment
元亨。利牝馬之貞。
Khwăn (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man (here intended) has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his (proper) lord. The advantageousness will be seen in his getting friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If he rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.
Hexagram 33 遯 — judgment
亨。小利貞。
Thun indicates successful progress (in its circumstances). To a small extent it will (still) be advantageous to be firm and correct.
The changing lines of hexagram 2
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 含章，可貞。或從王事，无成有終。 | The third line, divided, (shows its subject) keeping his excellence under restraint, but firmly maintaining it. If he should have occasion to engage in the king's service, though he will not claim the success (for himself), he will bring affairs to a good issue. |
| 4 | 括囊，无咎无譽。 | The fourth line, divided, (shows the symbol of) a sack tied up. There will be no ground for blame or for praise. |
| 5 | 黃裳，元吉。 | The fifth line, divided, (shows) the yellow lower garment. There will be great good fortune. |
| 6 | 龍戰于野，其血玄黃。 | The sixth line, divided, (shows) dragons fighting in the wild. Their blood is purple and yellow. |
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.