需 → 未濟
Hexagram 5: Waiting → Hexagram 64: Before Completion
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 5 changing lines (lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6).
Line 1
初九 需于郊。利用恆。无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
Line 3
九三 需于泥。致寇至。
Nine in the third place means: Waiting in the mud Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
Line 4
六四 需于血。出自穴。
Six in the fourth place means: Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
Line 5
九五 需于酒食。貞吉。
Nine in the fifth place means: Waiting at meat and drink. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 6
上六 入于穴。有不速之客三人來。敬之終吉。
Six at the top means: One falls into the pit. Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
登高上山，見王自言。申理我讒，得職蒙恩。
Climbing high, ascending the mountain; seeing the king, speaking for oneself. Setting right the slander against me; one gains a post and receives grace.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Clouds above heaven give way to fire above water — Before Completion's final incompletion, where everything is still in transit. Climbing high up the mountain, one sees the king and speaks directly. 'Clarify the slander against me' — vindication is sought by ascending to the highest point and appealing in person. One receives an appointment and is graced with favor. The verse enacts the journey from obscurity to recognition: the slandered official who climbs to the seat of power, presents his case, and is restored. From Waiting to Before Completion, the crossing is not yet finished but the direction is clear. Fire above water means the elements have not yet found their proper positions — but the very act of ascending to speak truth moves them closer to where they belong.
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