履 → 渙
Hexagram 10: Treading → Hexagram 59: Dispersion
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 1, 4).
Line 1
初九 素履往。无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: Simple conduct. Progress without blame.
Line 4
九四 履虎尾。愬愬終吉。
Nine in the fourth place means: He treads on the tail of the tiger. Caution and circumspection Lead ultimately to good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
探巢得雛，鳩鵲來俱，使我音娛。
Reaching into the nest, he finds the chicks; dove and magpie come together -- bringing me the pleasure of their song.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Heaven above the lake, and a hand reaches into the nest to find chicks. Doves and magpies arrive together, filling the air with their music for the finder's delight. The image is one of effortless discovery: reaching in and finding exactly what one hoped for, with companion birds gathering as if to celebrate. The brevity of the verse — only three lines — mirrors the simplicity of the moment. From Treading to Dispersion, wind moves over water, scattering what was concentrated. The transformation suggests that the gathered joy of finding will eventually disperse outward like ripples on water, sharing its music beyond the original nest.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store