Hexagram 64 未濟 changing to hexagram 43 夬
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 43 夬, line 2
惕號,莫夜有戎,勿恤。
The second line, undivided, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing (for sympathy and help). Late at night hostile measures may be (taken against him), but he need not be anxious about them.
Hexagram 43 夬, line 4
臀无膚,其行次且。牽羊悔亡,聞言不信。
The fourth line, undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. (If he could act) like a sheep led (after its companions), occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 64 未濟 — judgment
亨。小狐汔濟,濡其尾,无攸利。
Wei Zî intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.
Hexagram 43 夬 — judgment
揚于王庭,孚號,有厲,告自邑,不利即戎,利有攸往。
Kwâi requires (in him who would fulfil its meaning) the exhibition (of the culprit's guilt) in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal (for sympathy and support), with a consciousness of the peril (involved in cutting off the criminal). He should (also) make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. (In this way) there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.
The changing lines of hexagram 64
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 濡其尾,吝。 | The first line, divided, shows its subject (like a fox) whose tail gets immersed. There will be occasion for regret. |
| 3 | 未濟,征凶,利涉大川。 | The third line, divided, shows its subject, with (the state of things) not yet remedied, advancing on; which will lead to evil. But there will be advantage in (trying to) cross the great stream. |
| 5 | 貞吉,无悔,君子之光,有孚,吉。 | The fifth line, divided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, and having no occasion for repentance. (We see in him) the brightness of a superior man, and the possession of sincerity. There will be good fortune. |
| 6 | 有孚于飲酒,无咎,濡其首,有孚失是。 | The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject full of confidence and therefore feasting (quietly). There will be no error. (If he) cherish this confidence, till he (is like the fox who) gets his head immersed, it will fail of what is right. |
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.