Hexagram 28 大過 changing to hexagram 51 震
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 5.
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 51 震, line 4
震遂泥。
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.
Hexagram 51 震, line 6
震索索，視矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其鄰，无咎。婚媾有言。
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject, amidst the startling movements (of the time), in breathless dismay and looking round him with trembling apprehension. If he take action, there will be evil. If, while the startling movements have not reached his own person and his neighbourhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 28 大過 — judgment
棟橈，利有攸往，亨。
Tâ Kwo suggests to us a beam that is weak. There will be advantage in moving (under its conditions) in any direction whatever; there will be success.
Hexagram 51 震 — judgment
亨。震來虩虩，笑言啞啞。震驚百里，不喪匕鬯。
A"an gives the intimation of ease Kăn development. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred li, he will be (like the sincere worshipper) who is not (startled into) letting go his ladle and (cup of) sacrificial spirits.
The changing lines of hexagram 28
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 藉用白茅，无咎。 | The first line, divided, shows one placing mats of the white mâo grass under things set on the ground. There will be no error. |
| 2 | 枯楊生稊，老夫得其女妻，无不利。 | The second line, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing shoots, or an old husband in possession of his young wife. There will be advantage in every way. |
| 3 | 棟橈，凶。 | The third line, undivided, shows a beam that is weak. There will be evil. |
| 5 | 枯楊生華，老婦得其士夫，无咎无譽。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows a decayed willow producing flowers, or an old wife in possession of her young husband. There will be occasion neither for blame nor 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.