I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 15 with Changing Lines 2, 3, 4, 5 to Hexagram 47

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 15.2.3.4.5 -> 47

15. Balancing (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

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
謙亨,君子有終。
(Qiān hēng, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng.)
English Translation:
"Balancing 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

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
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.)
English Translation:
"A mountain rises within the earth: balancing. 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 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
鳴謙,貞吉。
(Míng qiān, zhēn jí.)
English Translation:
"Balancing is made evident. Correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome."

Balance becomes visible outwardly, not hidden. It is recognized through its effects.

Maintaining this state steadily ensures that the condition remains stable and beneficial.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
勞謙君子,有終,吉。
(Láo qiān jūn zǐ, yǒu zhōng, jí.)
English Translation:
"Working within balance, the superior person brings it to completion. Favorable outcome."

Balance requires effort to maintain. It is not static, but continuously adjusted through activity.

Because this work is sustained, it leads to completion without disruption.

Line 4 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
無不利,撝謙。
(Wú bù lì, huī qiān.)
English Translation:
"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

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
不富以其鄰,利用侵伐,無不利。
(Bù fù yǐ qí lín, lì yòng qīn fá, wú bù lì.)
English Translation:
"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.

Changing to:

47. Oppression (困 Kùn)

Trigrams

Above
☱ Duì (Lake) — 澤 · Open
Below
☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth

The Symbolism of Hexagram 47

Hexagram 困 (Kùn) describes constraint—pressure that limits movement and expression. Resources are restricted, and external conditions do not support expansion.

Water beneath the lake shows depletion. What should nourish is trapped below, leaving the surface without support. Constraint arises when flow is blocked.

Hexagram 47 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
困,亨,貞大人吉,无咎,有言不信。
(Kùn, hēng, zhēn dà rén jí, wú jiù, yǒu yán bù xìn.)
English Translation:
"Constraint. Smooth progress. For a person of great capacity, correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome. No error. Words are not trusted."

This hexagram describes a condition where external constraint limits action, yet inner alignment remains intact. Success is not outward—it is maintained through internal stability.

Communication loses effectiveness under constraint. Words do not carry weight, so progress depends on endurance and integrity rather than persuasion.

Hexagram 47 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
澤無水,困。君子以致命遂志。
(Zé wú shuǐ, kùn. Jūn zǐ yǐ zhì mìng suì zhì.)
English Translation:
"The lake is without water: oppression. The superior person maintains purpose and carries it through within limitation."

The outer structure appears intact, but the essential resource is missing. This creates pressure without release.

Under these conditions, one does not expand outward, but instead completes what must be carried through internally.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team