Hexagram 20 觀 changing to hexagram 39 蹇
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 3, 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 20 觀, line 6
觀其生，君子无咎。
The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into error.
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).
The two hexagrams
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).
Hexagram 39 蹇 — judgment
利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
In (the state indicated Kien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
The changing lines of hexagram 20
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 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). |
| 6 | 觀其生，君子无咎。 | The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into 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.