Hexagram 39 蹇 changing to hexagram 1 乾
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 1 乾, line 3
君子終日乾乾，夕惕若；厲，无咎。
In the third line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the superior man active and vigilant all the day, and in the evening still careful and apprehensive. (The position is) dangerous, but there will be no mistake.
Hexagram 1 乾, line 5
飛龍在天，利見大人。
In the fifth line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon on the wing in the sky. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
The two hexagrams
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.
Hexagram 1 乾 — judgment
元亨。利貞。
Khien (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.
The changing lines of hexagram 39
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 4 | 往蹇來連。 | The fourth line, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above). |
| 6 | 往蹇來碩，吉；利見大人。 | The topmost line, divided, shows its subject going forward, (only to increase) the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will be (productive of) great (merit). There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man. |
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.