Hexagram 61 中孚 changing to hexagram 36 明夷
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 36 明夷, line 1
明夷于飛，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食，有攸往，主人有言。
The first line, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, flying, but with drooping wings. When the superior man (is revolving) his going away, he may be for three days without eating. Wherever he goes, the people there may speak (derisively of him).
Hexagram 36 明夷, line 4
入于左腹，獲明夷之心，于出門庭。
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject (just) entered into the left side of the belly (of the dark land). (But) he is able to carry out the mind appropriate (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, quitting the gate and courtyard (of the lord of darkness).
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 61 中孚 — judgment
豚魚吉，利涉大川，利貞。
Kung Fû (moves even) pigs and fish, and leads to good fortune. There will be advantage in crossing the great stream. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
Hexagram 36 明夷 — judgment
利艱貞。
Ming Î indicates that (in the circumstances which it denotes) it will be advantageous to realise the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness.
The changing lines of hexagram 61
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 鳴鶴在陰，其子和之，我有好爵，吾與爾靡之。 | The second line, undivided, shows its subject (like) the crane crying out in her hidden retirement, and her young ones responding to her. (It is as if it were said), 'I have a cup of good spirits' (and the response were), 'I will partake of it with you' |
| 3 | 得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。 | The third line, divided, shows its subject having met with his mate. Now he beats his drum, and now he leaves off. Now he weeps, and now he sings. |
| 5 | 有孚攣如，无咎。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject perfectly sincere, and linking (others) to him in closest union. There will be no error. |
| 6 | 翰音登于天，貞凶。 | The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject in chanticleer (trying to) mount to heaven. Even with firm correctness there 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.