臨 → 需
Hexagram 19: Approach → Hexagram 5: Waiting
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 3, 5).
Line 3
六三 甘臨。无攸利。既憂之。无咎。
Six in the third place means: Comfortable approach. Nothing that would further. If one is induced to grieve over it, One becomes free of blame.
Line 5
六五 知臨。大君之宜。吉。
Six in the fifth place means: Wise approach. This is right for a great prince. Good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
重瞳四乳,耳聰目明;普為仁表,聖作元輔。
Double pupils, four breasts; ears keen, eyes bright. Widely setting the standard of benevolence, the sage serves as chief support.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth above the lake approaches the nourishing patience of clouds above heaven. 'Double pupils and four nipples, keen of ear and clear of sight' — these are the miraculous bodily signs of sage-kings. Double pupils belonged to Emperor Shun; four nipples marked King Wen of Zhou. The verse declares them paragons of benevolence and chief pillars of sagely rule. From Approach to Waiting, the gathering of cosmic virtue resembles clouds massing above heaven before rain: these sage-kings did not seize power but waited until their extraordinary nature was recognized. Their physical marks are outward signs of inner fullness — clouds heavy with moisture that will nourish the land when the moment is right.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store