Hexagram 34 大壯 changing to hexagram 29 坎
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3, 4, 5.
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 29 坎, line 2
坎有險，求小得。
The second line, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little (of the deliverance) that he seeks.
Hexagram 29 坎, line 6
係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject bound with cords of three strands or two strands, and placed in the thicket of thorns. But in three years he does not learn the course for him to pursue. There will be evil.
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 29 坎 — judgment
習坎：有孚，維心亨。行有尚。
Khan, here repeated, shows the possession of sincerity, through which the mind is. penetrating. Action (in accordance with this) will be of high value.
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. |
| 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. |
| 5 | 喪羊于易，无悔。 | The fifth line, divided, shows one who loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance. |
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.