坤 → 乾
Hexagram 2: The Receptive → Hexagram 1: The Creative
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 6 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
Line 1
初六 履霜堅冰至。
Six at the beginning means: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, Solid ice is not far off.
Line 2
六二 直方大。不習无不利。
Six in the second place means: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, Yet nothing remains unfurthered.
Line 3
六三 含章可貞。或從王事。无成有終。
Six in the third place means: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, Seek not works, but bring to completion.
Line 4
六四 括囊。无咎无譽。
Six in the fourth place means: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.
Line 5
六五 黃裳。元吉。
Six in the fifth place means: A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune.
Line 6
上六 龍戰于野。其血玄黃。
Six at the top means: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
谷風布氣，萬物出生。萌庶長養，華葉茂成。
The valley wind spreads its breath; the ten thousand things come to life. Sprouts and seedlings grow and are nourished; flowers and leaves flourish to fullness.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth doubled yields to pure heaven doubled: the Receptive opens into the Creative. A valley wind spreads its breath and all living things emerge. Sprouts and seedlings grow tall, blossoms and leaves flourish to fullness. Kun, pure yin, embodies the earth that receives and supports; when it transforms into Qian, pure yang, the latent generative power within the earth erupts as self-sustaining creative force. The valley wind is the harbinger of spring — warm air rising from low ground to stir dormant life. From the Receptive to the Creative, the verse captures the moment when passive nurture ignites into active initiative: what the earth quietly held now rises of its own accord, needing no further coaxing.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store