Hexagram 2 坤 changing to hexagram 34 大壯
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 4.
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 34 大壯, line 5
喪羊于易，无悔。
The fifth line, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
Hexagram 34 大壯, line 6
羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。
The sixth line, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
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 34 大壯 — judgment
利貞。
Ta Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
The changing lines of hexagram 2
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 履霜，堅冰至。 | In the first line, divided, (we see its subject) treading on hoarfrost. The strong ice will come (by and by). |
| 2 | 直方大，不習无不利。 | The second line, divided, (shows the attribute of) being straight, square, and great. (Its operation), without repeated efforts, will be in every respect advantageous. |
| 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. |
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.