坤 → 困
Hexagram 2: The Receptive → Hexagram 47: Oppression
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 2, 4, 5).
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 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.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
兔罝之容，不失其恭。和謙致樂，君子攸同。
The rabbit-snare’s bearing; never losing its respect. Harmonious and humble, achieving joy; the noble man’s companion.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth upon earth yields to lake above water — Oppression. The bearing of one who sets rabbit snares does not lose its respectfulness. Harmony and modesty bring joy — this is the way of the gentleman. The rabbit-snare reference echoes the Shijing ode 'Tu Ju' ('The Rabbit Nets'), which praises the dignified bearing of warriors even in humble tasks. Lake above water with no water in the lake, the image of Kun, depicts exhaustion — resources drained. Yet the verse counsels resilience through decorum: even when oppressed, maintain composure. From the Receptive to Oppression, the earth's supportive capacity is tested to exhaustion. The gentleman who sets snares with the dignity of a courtier demonstrates Kun's deepest teaching:致命遂志 — stake your life to fulfill your will. Even in oppression, bearing determines outcome.
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