坎 → 觀
Hexagram 29: The Abysmal Water → Hexagram 20: Contemplation
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 2, 6).
Line 2
九二 坎有險。求小得。
Nine in the second place means: The abyss is dangerous. One should strive to attain small things only.
Line 6
上六 係用徽纆。寘于叢棘。三歲不得。凶。
Six at the top means: Bound with cords and ropes, Shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls: For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
履虵躡虺，與鬼相視，驚哭失氣，如騎虎尾。
Treading on serpents, stepping on vipers; locking eyes with a ghost. Crying out in shock, losing one's breath -- like riding a tiger's tail.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Water upon water, every step treads upon venom. Stepping on serpents and vipers, locking eyes with ghosts — the traveler cries out in terror, losing breath, as though riding the tail of a tiger. The verse piles dread upon dread: snakes underfoot, spectres ahead, and the sensation of clinging to a beast that cannot be controlled. From The Abysmal to Contemplation, the wind moves over the earth, offering the broad view that dispels close-quarters panic. The sage-king surveys his domain from the high tower of Contemplation precisely to avoid the blindness of immersion. This verse captures what happens without that elevated perspective — trapped at ground level, every shadow becomes a ghost.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store