Qian, six at the beginningHexagram 15, line 1 · Qian (Humility) · changing to 36
The line
In plain wordsHumble, and then more humble still. Take this attitude to cross the great river and get through hard passes: good fortune.
The Image commentary on this line
謙謙君子，卑以自牧也。
"Humble upon humble, the noble one": he keeps low in order to tend himself.
The small Image commentary is the earliest explanation of the line texts. It usually explains a line from its position: where it stands, whether it holds the center, and which line answers it.
Verdict
吉Favorable. This text describes a good outcome. Act the way it says and the matter can succeed. The promise has a condition: keep to the right course.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- When you are just starting out, or taking on something difficult, set yourself low, and then lower still: ask more, learn more, do more. Go at it with this humility, and even the hard pass can be crossed.
- Love
- When love runs into trouble, drop your pride first; don't hold yourself aloof or fight over who is right, and when you have been gentle, be gentler still. Talk and face things in this humble spirit, and even the hard part can be crossed.
- Money
- When you face a hard decision about money or a tough stretch, don't try to be clever. Where you don't understand, ask someone who knows, and keep yourself low. Humble, and then humbler still: go at it this way and you actually get through.
This is how to read it when this is the only changing line. With several changing lines, first see which text governs; for the hexagram as a whole, see Qian.
Line position
A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the fourth line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.
First place: the beginning of the matter. Low position, little power. Begin carefully.
When you get this line
If this is the only changing line in your cast (three inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Qian (Humility); when this line changes it becomes Mingyi (Darkened Light): hexagram 15 changing to 36.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Mingyi (Darkened Light)
The light is pressed under the ground; for now, keep yourself somewhat hidden.