夬 → 艮
Hexagram 43: Breakthrough → Hexagram 52: Keeping Still Mountain
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 5 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6).
Line 1
初九 壯于前趾。往不勝為咎。
Nine at the beginning means: Mighty in the forward-striding toes. When one goes and is not equal to the task, One makes a mistake.
Line 2
九二 惕號。莫夜有戎。勿恤。
Nine in the second place means: A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and at night. Fear nothing.
Line 4
九四 臀无膚。其行次且。牽羊悔亡。聞言不信。
Nine in the fourth place means: There is no skin on his thighs, And walking comes hard. If a man were to let himself be led like a sheep, Remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard They will not be believed.
Line 5
九五 莧陸夬夬。中行无咎。
Nine in the fifth place means: In dealing with weeds, Firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle Remains free of blame.
Line 6
上六 无號。終有凶。
Six at the top means: No cry. In the end misfortune comes.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
安上宜官，一日九遷。踰群越等，牧在常山。
Secure above, fit for office; nine promotions in a single day. Surpassing peers and leaping ranks; appointed governor at Mount Chang.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Lake risen above heaven comes to rest as doubled mountain, keeping still. Secure in rank and suited to office, one is promoted nine times in a single day. Surpassing peers and leaping past rank, one is posted to govern at Changshan. Rapid advancement to a position of authority — the 'nine promotions in a day' is hyperbolic praise for swift recognition of merit. Changshan (present-day Hebei) was a strategic commandery. From Breakthrough to Keeping Still, the decisive action that cut through obstruction now settles into the mountain's stillness. The official who rose so fast must now stay in place — governance requires the discipline of remaining where one is posted, thinking within one's position rather than constantly seeking the next advance.
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