I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 15 with Changing Lines 1, 4, 5, 6 to Hexagram 13
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 15.1.4.5.6 -> 13
15. Leveling (謙 Qiān)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
- Below
- ☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
The Symbolism of Hexagram 15
Hexagram 謙 (Qiān) describes a condition in which what is elevated is lowered and what is low is raised, creating balance. It is not self-effacement, but the proper adjustment of excess and deficiency.
Hexagram 15 Judgment
謙亨,君子有終。
(Qiān hēng, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng.)
"Leveling brings smooth progress. The superior person brings it to completion."
When excess is reduced and deficiency is filled, movement becomes smooth. This creates a condition in which processes can continue without disruption.
The superior person carries this adjustment through to its conclusion, ensuring that balance is not temporary but sustained.
Hexagram 15 Image
地中有山,謙。君子以裒多益寡,稱物平施。
(Dì zhōng yǒu shān, qiān. Jūn zǐ yǐ póu duō yì guǎ, chēng wù píng shī.)
"A mountain rises within the earth: leveling. The superior person gathers what is excessive and adds to what is lacking, distributing things according to balance."
The mountain is contained within the earth, its height moderated rather than exposed. This reflects reduction of excess.
Balance is achieved not by equalizing everything blindly, but by measuring and adjusting according to what each situation requires.
Line 1 Changing
謙謙君子,用涉大川,吉。
(Qiān qiān jūn zǐ, yòng shè dà chuān, jí.)
"Balanced in balance, the superior person uses this to undertake a major transition. Favorable outcome."
At the beginning, alignment is already established. Because there is no excess or distortion, movement through difficulty is possible.
The crossing succeeds because nothing is carried in imbalance.
Line 4 Changing
無不利,撝謙。
(Wú bù lì, huī qiān.)
"Nothing is unfavorable. Guiding through balanced adjustment."
Here, balance is actively directed. Adjustment is applied where needed.
Because it is responsive and measured, there is no disadvantage in any direction.
Line 5 Changing
不富以其鄰,利用侵伐,無不利。
(Bù fù yǐ qí lín, lì yòng qīn fá, wú bù lì.)
"Not enriched at the expense of what is near. It is favorable to correct imbalance. Nothing is unfavorable."
Balance does not allow accumulation that deprives others. Excess must not distort the surrounding field.
Where imbalance persists, corrective action is appropriate. This is not aggression, but restoration of proper proportion.
Line 6 Changing
鳴謙,利用行師,征邑國。
(Míng qiān, lì yòng xíng shī, zhēng yì guó.)
"Balancing is made evident. It is favorable to set things in motion to restore alignment."
At the highest level, balance is applied outwardly across a wider field. Correction extends beyond the immediate situation.
This is not conquest, but the reordering of what has fallen out of alignment.
Changing to:
13. Union of People (同人 Tóng Rén)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative
- Below
- ☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
The Symbolism of Hexagram 13
Hexagram 同人 (Tóng Rén) describes alignment among people based on what is shared and visible. It is not mere closeness, but union formed in the open through recognition of a common principle.
Hexagram 13 Judgment
同人于野,亨。利涉大川,利君子贞。
(Tóng rén yú yě, hēng. Lì shè dà chuān, lì jūn zǐ zhēn.)
"Union with people in the open. Smooth progress. It is favorable to undertake a major transition. It is favorable for the superior person to remain correctly aligned."
True alignment arises in what is open and shared, not confined to private or exclusive circles. When union is based on a clear common ground, movement becomes possible even across difficulty.
Constancy ensures that this union does not fragment. Without a stable principle, association becomes unstable or partial.
Hexagram 13 Image
天火同人。君子以类族辨物。
(Tiān huǒ tóng rén. Jūn zǐ yǐ lèi zú biàn wù.)
"Heaven and fire move together: union of people. The superior person distinguishes kinds and groups things according to their nature."
Fire illuminates upward toward heaven, making what is shared visible. Union is formed through clarity, not through confusion or sameness.
The superior person does not erase differences but understands them, grouping and relating things appropriately. Through this, true alignment becomes possible.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team