Hexagram 2 坤 changing to hexagram 36 明夷
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3.
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 2 坤, line 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.
Hexagram 2 坤, line 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).
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 36 明夷 — judgment
利艱貞。
Ming Î indicates that (in the circumstances which it denotes) it will be advantageous to realise the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness.
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). |
| 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. |
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.