Hexagram 43 夬 changing to hexagram 53 漸
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 53 漸, line 3
鴻漸于陸，夫征不復，婦孕不育，凶；利禦寇。
The third line, undivided, shows them gradually advanced to the dry plains. (It suggests also the idea of) a husband who goes on an expedition from which he does not return, and of a wife who is pregnant, but will not nourish her child. There will be evil. (The case symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.
Hexagram 53 漸, line 5
鴻漸于陵，婦三歲不孕，終莫之勝，吉。
The fifth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the high mound. (It suggests the idea of) a wife who for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 43 夬 — judgment
揚于王庭，孚號，有厲，告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。
Kwâi requires (in him who would fulfil its meaning) the exhibition (of the culprit's guilt) in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal (for sympathy and support), with a consciousness of the peril (involved in cutting off the criminal). He should (also) make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. (In this way) there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.
Hexagram 53 漸 — judgment
女歸吉，利貞。
Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
The changing lines of hexagram 43
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 壯于前趾，往不勝為咎。 | The first line, undivided, shows its subject in (the pride of) strength advancing with his toes. He goes forward, but will not succeed. There will be ground for blame. |
| 2 | 惕號，莫夜有戎，勿恤。 | The second line, undivided, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing (for sympathy and help). Late at night hostile measures may be (taken against him), but he need not be anxious about them. |
| 4 | 臀无膚，其行次且。牽羊悔亡，聞言不信。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. (If he could act) like a sheep led (after its companions), occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them. |
| 6 | 无號，終有凶。 | The sixth line, divided, shows its subject without any (helpers) on whom to call. His end will be evil. |
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.