Hexagram 63 既濟 changing to hexagram 21 噬嗑
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 3, 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 21 噬嗑, line 1
屨校滅趾，无咎。
The first line, undivided, shows one with his feet in the stocks and deprived of his toes. There will be no error.
Hexagram 21 噬嗑, line 2
噬膚滅鼻，无咎。
The second line, divided, shows one biting through the soft flesh, and (going on to) bite off the nose. There will be no error.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 63 既濟 — judgment
亨小。利貞。初吉終亂。
Kî Zî intimates progress and success in small matters. There will be advantage in being firm and correct. There has been good fortune in the beginning; there may be disorder in the end.
Hexagram 21 噬嗑 — judgment
亨。利用獄。
Shih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.
The changing lines of hexagram 63
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 高宗伐鬼方，三年克之，小人勿用。 | The third line, undivided, (suggests the case of) Kao Sung who attacked the Demon region, but was three years in subduing it. Small men should not be employed (in such enterprises). |
| 4 | 繻有衣袽，終日戒。 | The fourth line, divided, shows its subject with rags provided against any leak (in his boat), and on his guard all day long. |
| 5 | 東鄰殺牛，不如西鄰之禴祭，實受其福。 | The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject (as) the neighbour in the east who slaughters an ox (for his sacrifice); but this is not equal to the (small) spring sacrifice of the neighbour in the west, whose sincerity receives the blessing. |
| 6 | 濡其首，厲。 | The topmost line, divided, shows its subject with (even) his head immersed. The position is perilous. |
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.