Hexagram 63 既濟 changing to hexagram 23 剝
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 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 23 剝, line 2
剝牀以辨，蔑貞凶。
The second line, divided, shows one overthrowing the couch by injuring its frame. (The injury will go on to) the destruction of (all) firm correctness, and there will be evil.
Hexagram 23 剝, line 4
剝牀以膚，凶。
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject having overthrown the couch, and (going to injure) the skin (of him who lies on it). There will be evil.
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 23 剝 — judgment
不利。有攸往。
Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.
The changing lines of hexagram 63
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 曳其輪，濡其尾，无咎。 | The first line, undivided, (shows its subject as a driver) who drags back his wheel, (or as a fox) which has wet his tail. There will be no error. |
| 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). |
| 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.