Hexagram 6 訟 changing to hexagram 19 臨
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 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 19 臨, line 2
咸臨，吉无不利。
The second line, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the first line). There will be good fortune; (advancing) will be in every way advantageous.
Hexagram 19 臨, line 3
甘臨，无攸利。既憂之，无咎。
The third line, divided, shows one well pleased (indeed) to advance, (but whose action) will be in no way advantageous. If he become anxious about it (however), there will be no error.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 6 訟 — judgment
有孚，窒，惕，中吉，終凶。利見大人，不利涉大川。
Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
Hexagram 19 臨 — judgment
元亨。利貞。至于八月有凶。
Lin (indicates that under the conditions supposed in it) there will be great progress and success, while it will be advantageous to be firmly correct. In the eighth month there will be evil.
The changing lines of hexagram 6
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 不永所事，小有言，終吉。 | The first line, divided, shows its subject not perpetuating the matter about which (the contention is). He will suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against, but the end will be fortunate. |
| 4 | 不克訟，復即命渝，安貞吉。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune. |
| 5 | 訟，元吉。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject contending;—and with great good fortune. |
| 6 | 或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。 | The topmost line, undivided, shows how its subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him (by the sovereign), and thrice it shall be taken from him in a morning. |
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.