Hexagram 62 小過 changing to hexagram 27 頤
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 3, 4, 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 27 頤, line 2
顛頤,拂經,于丘頤,征凶。
The second line, divided, shows one looking downwards for nourishment, which is contrary to what is proper; or seeking it from the height (above), advance towards which will lead to evil.
Hexagram 27 頤, line 5
拂經,居貞吉,不可涉大川。
The fifth line, divided, shows one acting contrary to what is regular and proper; but if he abide in firmness, there will be good fortune. He should not, (however, try to) cross the great stream.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 62 小過 — judgment
亨。利貞。可小事,不可大事。飛鳥遺之音,不宜上宜下,大吉。
Hsiâo Kwo indicates that (in the circumstances which it implies) there will be progress and attainment. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. (What the name denotes) may be done in small affairs, but not in great affairs. (It is like) the notes that come down from a bird on the wing;—to descend is better than to ascend. There will (in this way) be great good fortune.
Hexagram 27 頤 — judgment
貞吉。觀頤,自求口實。
Î indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.
The changing lines of hexagram 62
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 飛鳥以凶。 | The first line, divided, suggests (the idea of) a bird flying, (and ascending) till the issue is evil. |
| 3 | 弗過防之,從或戕之,凶。 | The third line, undivided, shows its subject taking no extraordinary precautions against danger; and some in consequence finding opportunity to assail and injure him. There will be evil. |
| 4 | 无咎,弗過遇之。往厲必戒,勿用永貞。 | The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject falling into no error, but meeting (the exigency of his situation), without exceeding (in his natural course). If he go forward, there will be peril, and he must be cautious. There is no occasion to be using firmness perpetually. |
| 6 | 弗遇過之,飛鳥離之,凶,是謂災眚。 | The sixth line, divided, shows its subject not meeting (the exigency of his situation), and exceeding (his proper course). (It suggests the idea of) a bird flying far aloft. There will be evil. The case is what is called one of calamity and selfproduced injury. |
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.