兌 → 小畜
Hexagram 58: The Joyous Lake → Hexagram 9: Small Taming
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 3, 4, 6).
Line 3
六三 來兌凶。
Six in the third place means: Coming joyousness. Misfortune.
Line 4
九四 商兌未寧。介疾有喜。
Nine in the fourth place means: Joyousness that is weighed is not at peace. After ridding himself of mistakes a man has joy.
Line 6
上六 引兌。
Six at the top means: Seductive joyousness.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
生有聖德，上配大極。皇靈建中，受我以福。
Born with sagely virtue, matched above with the Great Ultimate. The imperial spirit establishes the center; we receive blessing thereby.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Paired lakes open to wind above heaven — gentle influence refining celestial strength. One born with sagely virtue aligns with the supreme ultimate; the imperial spirit establishes the center, and blessings are bestowed. The verse describes a ruler of innate moral power whose virtue resonates with cosmic order. From The Joyous to Small Taming, open delight is refined into the gentle restraint that cultivates culture. Wind moves across heaven not by force but by persistent, subtle influence. The sage-ruler's blessing flows not from power wielded but from virtue that gradually tames and civilizes, like a soft breeze shaping what even force cannot move.
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