觀 → 師
Hexagram 20: Contemplation → Hexagram 7: The Army
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 2, 5, 6).
Line 2
六二 闚觀。利女貞。
Six in the second place means: Contemplation through the crack of the door. Furthering for the perseverance of a woman.
Line 5
九五 觀我生。君子无咎。
Nine in the fifth place means: Contemplation of my life. The superior man is without blame.
Line 6
上九 觀其生。君子无咎。
Nine at the top means: Contemplation of his life. The superior man is without blame.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
王孫季子，相與孝友。明允篤誠，昇擢薦舉；為國幹輔。
The royal grandson and young lord, together practice filial devotion and friendship. Bright, trustworthy, and deeply sincere, they are promoted and recommended -- pillars of the state.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind sweeps the earth and the observer discerns worthy men. Princes and younger sons practice mutual reverence and filial devotion. Bright, trustworthy, and earnest, they are recommended and promoted to become pillars of the state. The verse celebrates the ideal of meritocratic selection: virtue recognized and elevated to serve the commonwealth. Earth over water forms the Army: water contained within the earth represents disciplined masses under capable command. From Contemplation to the Army, the transformation shows observation fulfilling its highest purpose — identifying the right people, placing them where they can serve. The sage-ruler's gaze becomes the state's organized strength.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store