Hexagram 34 大壯 changing to hexagram 52 艮
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 4, 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 52 艮, line 3
艮其限，裂其夤，厲閽心。
The third line, undivided, shows its subject keeping his loins at rest, and separating the ribs (from the body below). The situation is perilous, and the heart glows with suppressed excitement.
Hexagram 52 艮, line 5
艮其輔，言有孚，悔亡。
The fifth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his jawbones at rest, so that his words are (all) orderly. Occasion for repentance will disappear.
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 52 艮 — judgment
艮其背，不獲其身，行其庭，不見其人，无咎。
When one's resting is like that of the back, Kăn he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see any (of the persons) in it,—there will be no error.
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. |
| 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.