Hexagram 39 蹇 changing to hexagram 61 中孚
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 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 61 中孚, line 4
月既望,馬匹亡,无咎。
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject (like) the moon nearly full, and (like) a horse (in a chariot) whose fellow disappears. There will be no error.
Hexagram 61 中孚, line 5
有孚攣如,无咎。
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject perfectly sincere, and linking (others) to him in closest union. There will be no error.
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 61 中孚 — judgment
豚魚吉,利涉大川,利貞。
Kung Fû (moves even) pigs and fish, and leads to good fortune. There will be advantage in crossing the great stream. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
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. |
| 3 | 往蹇來反。 | The third line, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates). |
| 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.