Hexagram 61 中孚 changing to hexagram 39 蹇
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 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 39 蹇, line 4
往蹇來連。
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).
Hexagram 39 蹇, line 5
大蹇朋來。
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
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 39 蹇 — judgment
利西南，不利東北；利見大人，貞吉。
In (the state indicated Kien advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
The changing lines of hexagram 61
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 虞吉，有它不燕。 | The first line, undivided, shows its subject resting (in himself). There will be good fortune. If he sought to any other, he would not find rest. |
| 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. |
| 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.