Hexagram 3 屯 changing to hexagram 34 大壯
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 2, 3, 4, 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 34 大壯, line 1
壯于趾,征凶,有孚。
The first line, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,—most certainly.
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 3 屯 — judgment
元亨,利貞。勿用有攸往,利建侯。
Kun (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be great progress and success, and the advantage will come from being correct and firm. (But) any movement in advance should not be (lightly) undertaken. There will be advantage in appointing feudal princes.
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 3
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 屯如邅如,乘馬班如,匪寇婚媾,女子貞不字,十年乃字。 | The second line, divided, shows (its subject) distressed and obliged to return; (even) the horses of her chariot (also) seem to be retreating. (But) not by a spoiler (is she assailed), but by one who seeks her to be his wife. The young lady maintains her firm correctness, and declines a union. After ten years she will be united, and have children. |
| 3 | 即鹿无虞,惟入于林中,君子幾不如舍,往吝。 | The third line, divided, shows one following the deer without (the guidance of) the forester, and only finding himself in the midst of the forest. The superior man, acquainted with the secret risks, thinks it better to give up the chase. If he went forward, he would regret it. |
| 4 | 乘馬班如,求婚媾,往,吉无不利。 | The fourth line, divided, shows (its subject as a lady), the horses of whose chariot appear in retreat. She seeks, however, (the help of) him who seeks her to be his wife. Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously. |
| 5 | 屯其膏;小貞吉,大貞凶。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows the difficulties in the way of (its subject's) dispensing the rich favours that might be expected from him. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune in small things; (even) with them in great things there will be evil. |
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.