坤 → 小畜
Hexagram 2: The Receptive → Hexagram 9: Small Taming
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 5 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 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 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
五軛四軌，復得饒有。陳力就列，騶虞悅喜。
Five yokes, four tracks; again one achieves abundance. Arraying one’s strength and taking position; the zouyu rejoices.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth upon earth softens into wind above heaven — Small Taming. Five yokes and four tracks yield abundant returns. Officials take their proper posts, and the Zouyu, the benevolent beast, rejoices. The Zouyu is a mythical creature from the Shijing ode of the same name — a righteous beast that treads on no living grass and harms no creature, appearing only in times of virtuous governance. Five yokes and four tracks suggest well-ordered agriculture and transport. From the Receptive to Small Taming, the earth's generous yield is gently channeled by wind's subtle influence. Small Taming restrains through cultivation of virtue rather than force. The Zouyu's appearance confirms the transformation: when the earth's bounty is wisely administered, even the auspicious beasts of legend manifest their approval.
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