Hexagram 33 遯 changing to hexagram 2 坤
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 3, 4, 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 2 坤, line 1
履霜，堅冰至。
In the first line, divided, (we see its subject) treading on hoarfrost. The strong ice will come (by and by).
Hexagram 2 坤, line 2
直方大，不習无不利。
The second line, divided, (shows the attribute of) being straight, square, and great. (Its operation), without repeated efforts, will be in every respect advantageous.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 33 遯 — judgment
亨。小利貞。
Thun indicates successful progress (in its circumstances). To a small extent it will (still) be advantageous to be firm and correct.
Hexagram 2 坤 — judgment
元亨。利牝馬之貞。
Khwăn (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man (here intended) has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his (proper) lord. The advantageousness will be seen in his getting friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If he rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.
The changing lines of hexagram 33
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 係遯，有疾厲，畜臣妾吉。 | The third line, undivided, shows one retiring but bound,—to his distress and peril. (If he were to deal with his binders as in) nourishing a servant or concubine, it would be fortunate for him. |
| 4 | 好遯君子吉，小人否。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject retiring notwithstanding his likings. In a superior man this will lead to good fortune; a small man cannot attain to this. |
| 5 | 嘉遯，貞吉。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject retiring in an admirable way. With firm correctness there will be good fortune. |
| 6 | 肥遯，无不利。 | The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject retiring in a noble way. It will be advantageous in every respect. |
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.