Hexagram 23 剝 changing to hexagram 17 隨
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 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 17 隨, line 2
係小子，失丈夫。
The second line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.
Hexagram 17 隨, line 3
係丈夫，失小子。隨，有求得利，居貞。
The third line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 23 剝 — judgment
不利。有攸往。
Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.
Hexagram 17 隨 — judgment
元亨。利貞。无咎。
Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.
The changing lines of hexagram 23
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 剝牀以足，蔑貞凶。 | The first line, divided, shows one overturning the couch by injuring its legs. (The injury will go on to) the destruction of (all) firm correctness, and there will be evil. |
| 4 | 剝牀以膚，凶。 | The fourth line, divided, shows its subject having overthrown the couch, and (going to injure) the skin (of him who lies on it). There will be evil. |
| 5 | 貫魚，以宮人寵，无不利。 | The fifth line, divided, shows (its subject leading on the others like) a string of fishes, and (obtaining for them) the favour that lights on the inmates of the palace. There will be advantage in every way. |
| 6 | 碩果不食，君子德車，小人剝廬。 | The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject (as) a great fruit which has not been eaten. The superior man finds (the people again) as a chariot carrying him. The small men (by their course) overthrow their own dwellings. |
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.