King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Hexagram 31 咸 changing to hexagram 11 泰

xián
→
tài

Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 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 11 泰, line 3

无平不陂,无往不復,艱貞无咎。勿恤其孚,于食有福。

The third line, undivided, shows that, while there is no state of peace that is not liable to be disturbed, and no departure (of evil men) so that they shall not return, yet when one is firm and correct, as he realises the distresses that may arise, he will commit no error. There is no occasion for sadness at the certainty (of such recurring changes); and in this mood the happiness (of the present) may be (long) enjoyed.

Hexagram 11 泰, line 6

城復于隍,勿用師,自邑告命,貞吝。

The sixth line, divided, shows us the city wall returned into the moat. It is not the time to use the army. (The subject of the line) may, indeed, announce his orders to the people of his own city; but however correct and firm he may be, he will have cause for regret.

The two hexagrams

Hexagram 31 咸 — judgment

亨。利貞。取女吉。

Hsien indicates that, (on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it), there will be free course and success. Its advantageousness will depend on the being firm and correct, (as) in marrying a young lady. There will be good fortune.

Hexagram 11 泰 — judgment

小往大來,吉亨。

In Thâi (we see) the little gone and the great come. (It indicates that) there will be good fortune, with progress and success.

The changing lines of hexagram 31

LineChineseLegge
1咸其拇。The first line, divided, shows one moving his great toes.
2咸其腓,凶,居吉。The second line, divided, shows one moving the calves of his leg. There will be evil. If he abide (quiet in his place), there will be good fortune.
4貞吉悔亡,憧憧往來,朋從爾思。The fourth line, undivided, shows that firm correctness which will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance. If its subject be unsettled in his movements, (only) his friends will follow his purpose.
5咸其脢,无悔。The fifth line, undivided, shows one moving the flesh along the spine above the heart. There will be no occasion for repentance.

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.