履 → 節
Hexagram 10: Treading → Hexagram 60: Limitation
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 4, 6).
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.
Line 6
上九 視履考祥。其旋元吉。
Nine at the top means: Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs. When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune comes.
Trigram Changes
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.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store