Hexagram 62 小過 changing to hexagram 38 睽
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 38 睽, line 4
睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厲无咎。
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject solitary amidst the (prevailing) disunion. (But) he meets with the good man (represented by the first line), and they blend their sincere desires together. The position is one of peril, but there will be no mistake.
Hexagram 38 睽, line 5
悔亡，厥宗噬膚，往何咎。
The fifth line, divided, shows that (to its subject) occasion for repentance will disappear. With his relative (and minister he unites closely and readily) as if he were biting through a piece of skin. When he goes forward (with this help), what error can there be?
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 38 睽 — judgment
小事吉。
Khwei indicates that, (notwithstanding the condition of things which it denotes), in small matters there will (still) be good success.
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. |
| 2 | 過其祖，遇其妣；不及其君，遇其臣；无咎。 | The second line, divided, shows its subject passing by his grandfather, and meeting with his grandmother; not attempting anything against his ruler, but meeting him as his minister. There will be no error. |
| 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. |
| 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.