Hexagram 31 咸 changing to hexagram 12 否
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 31 咸, line 6
咸其輔，頰，舌。
The sixth line, divided, shows one moving his jaws and tongue.
Hexagram 31 咸, line 3
咸其股，執其隨，往吝。
The third line, undivided, shows one moving his thighs, and keeping close hold of those whom he follows. Going forward (in this way) will cause 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 12 否 — judgment
否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。
In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.
The changing lines of hexagram 31
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 咸其股，執其隨，往吝。 | The third line, undivided, shows one moving his thighs, and keeping close hold of those whom he follows. Going forward (in this way) will cause regret. |
| 6 | 咸其輔，頰，舌。 | The sixth line, divided, shows one moving his jaws and tongue. |
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.