Hexagram 10: Treading → Hexagram 60: Limitation

Treading
Heaven / Lake
Limitation
Water / Lake
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 4, 6).

Line 4

九四 履虎尾。愬愬終吉。

treading
tiger
wěitail
pleading
pleading
zhōngwill end
promise

Nine in the fourth place means: He treads on the tail of the tiger. Caution and circumspection Lead ultimately to good fortune.

Line 6

上九 視履考祥。其旋元吉。

shìstudy
footsteps
kǎoexamine
xiángomens
if
xuáncome full circle
yuánsupreme
good fortune

Nine at the top means: Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs. When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune comes.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramHeaven WaterThe Creative → The Deep
Lower TrigramLake Lake

Yilin Verse

安上宜官,一日九遷;升擢超等,牧養常山。君臣獲安。

Secure above, fit for office; nine promotions in a single day. Rising and advancing beyond his rank; he is appointed to govern Changshan. Lord and minister find peace.

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

Commentary

Heaven above the lake, and rapid promotion elevates the worthy. Secure in position and fit for office, one is promoted nine times in a single day — an expression of meteoric advancement. Rising through ranks beyond the ordinary, one is appointed governor of Changshan, and both ruler and minister find peace. The phrase 'one day nine promotions' is a literary formula for dramatically swift recognition. From Treading to Limitation, water rests above the lake, establishing proper measure. The transformation from Treading's careful conduct to Limitation's balanced restraint is apt: even the most dramatic ascent must be governed by proportion. The wise governor succeeds because he understands where abundance ends and excess begins.

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