Hexagram 60: Limitation → Hexagram 44: Coming to Meet

Limitation
Water / Lake
Coming to Meet
Heaven / Wind
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 3, 4, 6).

Line 1

初九 不出戶庭。无咎。

not
chūgoing out
the door
tíngthe chamber
no
jiùblame

Nine at the beginning means: Not going out of the door and the courtyard Is without blame.

Line 3

六三 不節若。則嗟若。无咎。

no
jiéboundary
ruòsuch
and consequently
jiēlament
ruòsuch
no
jiùblame

Six in the third place means: He who knows no limitation Will have cause to lament. No blame.

Line 4

六四 安節亨。

ānsecure in
jiéthe boundary
hēngfulfillment

Six in the fourth place means: Contented limitation. Success.

Line 6

上六 苦節貞凶。悔亡。

bitter
jiélimitation
zhēnpersistence
xiōngis unfortunate
huǐbut
wángpass

Six at the top means: Galling limitation. Perseverance brings misfortune. Remorse disappears.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramWater HeavenThe Deep → The Creative
Lower TrigramLake WindThe Joyous → The Gentle

Yilin Verse

主安多福,天祿所伏。居之寵昌,君子有光。

The master dwells in peace and much blessing; heaven's bounty rests here. Living in favor and flourishing; the gentleman possesses radiance.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Water over lake bestows stability through proper measure, and this verse celebrates the blessings of a well-regulated existence. The ruler dwells in security and abundant fortune; heaven's emoluments gather where virtue resides. Prosperity and honor fill the household; the gentleman radiates light. The verse is an affirmation of cosmic reciprocity — correct governance attracts heavenly favor, which in turn sustains further virtue. From Limitation to Coming to Meet, the transformation introduces an element of fateful encounter. Wind stirs beneath heaven, and the sovereign issues his decree to the four directions. Limitation's earned stability creates the conditions under which the unexpected can arrive as blessing rather than disruption. The well-ordered household is prepared to receive what heaven sends, turning encounter into opportunity.

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