King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Hexagram 31 咸 changing to hexagram 60 節

xián
→
jié

Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 4.

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 60 節, line 5

甘節,吉;往有尚。

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject sweetly and acceptably enacting his regulations. There will be good fortune. The onward progress with them will afford ground for admiration.

Hexagram 60 節, line 6

苦節,貞凶,悔亡。

The topmost line, divided, shows its subject enacting regulations severe and difficult. Even with firmness and correctness there will be evil. But though there will be cause for repentance, it will (by and by) disappear.

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 60 節 — judgment

亨。苦節不可貞。

Kieh. intimates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and attainment. (But) if the regulations (which it prescribes) be severe and difficult, they cannot be permanent.

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.
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.
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.

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.