Hexagram 51 震 changing to hexagram 1 乾
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 2, 3, 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 1 乾, line 1
潛龍勿用。
In the first (or lowest) line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon lying hid (in the deep). It is not the time for active doing.
Hexagram 1 乾, line 4
或躍在淵，无咎。
In the fourth line, undivided, (we see its subject as the dragon looking) as if he were leaping up, but still in the deep. There will be no mistake.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 51 震 — judgment
亨。震來虩虩，笑言啞啞。震驚百里，不喪匕鬯。
A"an gives the intimation of ease Kăn development. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred li, he will be (like the sincere worshipper) who is not (startled into) letting go his ladle and (cup of) sacrificial spirits.
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 51
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 震來厲，億喪貝，躋于九陵，勿逐，七日得。 | The second line, divided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, in a position of peril. He judges it better to let go the articles (in his possession), and to ascend a very lofty height. There is no occasion for him to pursue after (the things he has let go); in seven days he will find them. |
| 3 | 震蘇蘇，震行无眚。 | The third line, divided, shows its subject distraught amid the startling movements going on. If those movements excite him to (right) action, there will be no mistake. |
| 5 | 震往來厲，億无喪，有事。 | The fifth line, divided, shows its subject going and coming amidst the startling movements (of the time), and always in peril; but perhaps he will not incur loss, and find business (which he can accomplish). |
| 6 | 震索索，視矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其鄰，无咎。婚媾有言。 | The topmost line, divided, shows its subject, amidst the startling movements (of the time), in breathless dismay and looking round him with trembling apprehension. If he take action, there will be evil. If, while the startling movements have not reached his own person and his neighbourhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him. |
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.