Hexagram 35 晉 changing to hexagram 39 蹇
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 39 蹇, line 1
往蹇，來譽。
From the first line, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
Hexagram 39 蹇, line 2
王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故。
The second line, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 35 晉 — judgment
康侯用錫馬蕃庶，晝日三接。
In Zin we see a prince who secures the tranquillity (of the people) presented on that account with numerous horses (by the king), and three times in a day received at interviews.
Hexagram 39 蹇 — judgment
利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
In (the state indicated Kien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
The changing lines of hexagram 35
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 眾允，悔亡。 | The third line, divided, shows its subject trusted by all (around him). All occasion for repentance will disappear. |
| 4 | 晉如鼫鼠，貞厲。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject with the appearance of advancing, but like a marmot. However firm and correct he may be, the position is one of peril. |
| 5 | 悔亡，矢得勿恤，往吉无不利。 | The fifth line, divided, shows how all occasion for repentance disappears (from its subject). (But) let him not concern himself about whether he shall fail or succeed. To advance will be fortunate, and in every way advantageous. |
| 6 | 晉其角，維用伐邑，厲吉无咎，貞吝。 | The topmost line, undivided, shows one advancing his horns. But he only uses them to punish the (rebellious people of his own) city. The position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. (Yet) however firm and correct he may be, there will be occasion for regret. |
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.