Hexagram 7 師 changing to hexagram 9 小畜
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 9 小畜, line 2
牽復，吉。
The second line, undivided, shows its subject, by the attraction (of the former line), returning (to the proper course). There will be good fortune.
Hexagram 9 小畜, line 4
有孚，血去惕出，无咎。
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject possessed of sincerity. The danger of bloodshed is thereby averted, and his (ground for) apprehension dismissed. There will be no mistake.
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 9 小畜 — judgment
亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。
Hsiâo Khû indicates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. (We see) dense clouds, but no rain coming from our borders in the west.
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. |
| 3 | 師或輿尸，凶。 | The third line, divided, shows how the host may, possibly, have many inefficient leaders. There will be evil. |
| 5 | 田有禽，利執言，无咎。長子帥師，弟子輿尸，貞凶。 | The fifth line, divided, shows birds in the fields, which it will be advantageous to seize (and destroy). In that case there will be no error. If the oldest son leads the host, and younger men (idly occupy offices assigned to them), however firm and correct he may be, there will be evil. |
| 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.