King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Hexagram 46 升 changing to hexagram 49 革

shēng
→
gé

Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 4, 5.

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 49 革, line 3

征凶,貞厲,革言三就,有孚。

The third line, undivided, shows that action taken by its subject will be evil. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous. If the change (he contemplates) have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.

Hexagram 49 革, line 6

君子豹變,小人革面,征凶,居貞吉。

The sixth line, divided, shows the superior man producing his changes as the leopard (does when he) changes (his spots), while small men change their faces (and show their obedience). To go forward (now) would lead to evil, but there will be good fortune in abiding firm and correct.

The two hexagrams

Hexagram 46 升 — judgment

元亨,用見大人,勿恤,南征吉。

Shăng indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. Seeking by (the qualities implied in it) to meet with the great man, its subject need have no anxiety. Advance to the south will be fortunate.

Hexagram 49 革 — judgment

已日乃孚,元亨。利貞。悔亡。

(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.

The changing lines of hexagram 46

LineChineseLegge
1允升,大吉。The first line, divided, shows its subject advancing upwards with the welcome (of those above him). There will be great good fortune.
2孚乃利用禴,无咎。The second line, undivided, shows its subject with that sincerity which will make even the (small) offerings of the vernal sacrifice acceptable. There will be no error.
4王用享于岐山,吉无咎。The fourth line, divided, shows its subject employed by the king to present his offerings on mount Kkl There will be good fortune; there will be no mistake.
5貞吉,升階。The fifth line, divided, shows its subject firmly correct, and therefore enjoying good fortune. He ascends the stairs (with all due ceremony).

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.