泰 → 謙
Hexagram 11: Peace → Hexagram 15: Modesty
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 1, 2).
Line 1
初九 拔茅茹。以其彙。征吉。
Nine at the beginning means: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.
Line 2
九二 包荒。用馮河。不遐遺。朋亡。得尚于中行。
Nine in the second place means: Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness, Fording the river with resolution, Not neglecting what is distant, Not regarding one's companions: Thus one may manage to walk in the middle.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
翕翕䡘䡘，稍墮山顛；滅其令名，長沒不全。
Rattling and shaking, gradually tumbling from the mountaintop. The fine name is extinguished; it sinks away, never to be whole.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth above heaven, Peace undone by reckless descent. Things crowd together in confusion, then tumble from the mountain peak. A good name is extinguished; one sinks forever, never to be whole again. The opening onomatopoeia (翕翕䡘䡘) evokes the sound of things collapsing inward, gathering momentum before the fall. The mountain peak represents the height of reputation, and the descent is irreversible. From Peace to Modesty, earth contains a mountain hidden within — what was towering is brought low. But where Modesty teaches the wisdom of voluntary lowering, this verse warns of involuntary collapse. The distinction is crucial: one who humbles himself survives; one who falls loses everything.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store