Hexagram 10: Treading → Hexagram 38: Opposition

Treading
Heaven / Lake
Opposition
Fire / Lake
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 1 changing line (line 5).

Line 5

九五 夬履。貞厲。

guàidetermined
tread
zhēnpersistence
stressful

Nine in the fifth place means: Resolute conduct. Perseverance with awareness of danger.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramHeaven FireThe Creative → The Clinging
Lower TrigramLake Lake

Yilin Verse

雀行求食,暮歸屋宿;反其室舍,安寧無故。

The sparrow goes out seeking grain; at dusk it returns to roost. Back in its chamber and home; peaceful and calm, as of old.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Heaven above the lake, and a sparrow follows its daily round. It ventures out to forage, returns at dusk to roost beneath the eaves, settles back into its familiar shelter, and rests in tranquility without incident. The imagery is deliberately modest: no grand journey, no heroic exploit — just the reliable rhythm of departure and return. From Treading to Opposition, fire flares above while the lake sinks below, their natures diverging. Yet the sparrow's contentment offers a counterpoint: even amid apparent opposition, there is harmony in knowing one's place. The gentleman finds unity within difference, returning each evening to the same rooftop undisturbed.

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