Hexagram 34 大壯 changing to hexagram 23 剝
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.
What to read
Five changing lines: read the one unchanged line of the resulting hexagram. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)
Hexagram 23 剝, line 5
貫魚，以宮人寵，无不利。
The fifth line, divided, shows (its subject leading on the others like) a string of fishes, and (obtaining for them) the favour that lights on the inmates of the palace. There will be advantage in every way.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 34 大壯 — judgment
利貞。
Ta Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
Hexagram 23 剝 — judgment
不利。有攸往。
Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.
The changing lines of hexagram 34
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 壯于趾，征凶，有孚。 | The first line, undivided, shows its subject manifesting his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil,—most certainly. |
| 2 | 貞吉。 | The second line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune. |
| 3 | 小人用壯，君子用罔，貞厲。羝羊觸藩，羸其角。 | The third line, undivided, shows, in the case of a small man, one using all his strength; and in the case of a superior man, one whose rule is not to do so. Even with firm correctness the position would be perilous. (The exercise of strength in it might be compared to the case of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled. |
| 4 | 貞吉悔亡，藩決不羸，壯于大轝之腹。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows (a case in which) firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (We see) the fence opened without the horns being entangled. The strength is like that in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon. |
| 6 | 羝羊觸藩，不能退，不能遂，无攸利，艱則吉。 | The sixth line, divided, shows (one who may be compared to) the ram butting against the fence, and unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any respect; but if he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune. |
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.