Hexagram 48 井 changing to hexagram 64 未濟
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 64 未濟, line 1
濡其尾，吝。
The first line, divided, shows its subject (like a fox) whose tail gets immersed. There will be occasion for regret.
Hexagram 64 未濟, line 2
曳其輪，貞吉。
The second line, undivided, shows its subject dragging back his (carriage-)wheel. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 48 井 — judgment
改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至亦未繘井。羸其瓶，凶。
(Looking at) Zing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
Hexagram 64 未濟 — judgment
亨。小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
Wei Zî intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.
The changing lines of hexagram 48
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。 | The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it. |
| 4 | 井甃，无咎。 | The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error. |
| 5 | 井冽，寒泉食。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk. |
| 6 | 井收勿幕，有孚元吉。 | The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune. |
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.