Hexagram 7 師 changing to hexagram 21 噬嗑
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 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 21 噬嗑, line 3
噬昔肉，遇毒；小吝，无咎。
The third line, divided, shows one gnawing dried flesh, and meeting with what is disagreeable. There will be occasion for some small regret, but no (great) error.
Hexagram 21 噬嗑, line 5
噬乾肉，得黃金，貞厲，无咎。
The fifth line, divided, shows one gnawing at dried flesh, and finding the yellow gold. Let him be firm and correct, realising the peril (of his position). There will be no error.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 7 師 — judgment
貞丈人吉，无咎。
Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.
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 7
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 師出以律，否臧，凶。 | The first line, divided, shows the host going forth according to the rules (for such a movement). If these be not good, there will be evil. |
| 2 | 在師中吉，无咎；王三錫命。 | The second line, undivided, shows (the leader) in the midst of the host. There will be good fortune and no error. The king has thrice conveyed to him the orders (of his favour). |
| 4 | 師左次，无咎。 | The fourth line, divided, shows the host in retreat. There is no error. |
| 6 | 大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。 | The topmost line, divided, shows the great ruler delivering his charges, (appointing some) to be rulers of states, and others to undertake the headship of clans; but small men should not be employed (in such positions). |
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.