Hexagram 31 咸 changing to hexagram 21 噬嗑
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3, 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 21 噬嗑, line 2
噬膚滅鼻，无咎。
The second line, divided, shows one biting through the soft flesh, and (going on to) bite off the nose. There will be no error.
Hexagram 21 噬嗑, line 4
噬乾胏，得金矢，利艱貞，吉。
The fourth line, undivided, shows one gnawing the flesh dried on the bone, and getting the pledges of money and arrows. It will be advantageous to him to realise the difficulty of his task and be firm,—in which case there will be good fortune.
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 21 噬嗑 — judgment
亨。利用獄。
Shih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.
The changing lines of hexagram 31
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 咸其拇。 | The first line, divided, shows one moving his great toes. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.