I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 15 with Changing Lines 3 to Hexagram 2
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 15.3 -> 2
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
謙亨，君子有終。
(Qiān hēng, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng.)
"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
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: 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 3 Changing
勞謙君子，有終，吉。
(Láo qiān jūn zǐ, yǒu zhōng, jí.)
"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.
Changing to:
2. The Receptive (坤 Kūn)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
- Below
- ☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
The Symbolism of Hexagram 2
Hexagram 坤 (Kūn) represents receptive power—the capacity to receive, support, and bring things to completion. It corresponds to earth: steady, open, and sustaining. Rather than initiating movement, it responds and gives form to what has begun.
In human terms, it reflects patience, humility, and reliability. Strength here is not forceful, but enduring—expressed through consistency, support, and the ability to carry responsibility without resistance.
Hexagram 2 Judgment
坤，元亨，利牝馬之貞。君子有攸往，先迷後得主，利西南得朋，東北喪朋。安貞，吉。
(Kūn, yuán hēng, lì pìn mǎ zhī zhēn. Jūn zǐ yǒu yōu wǎng, xiān mí hòu dé zhǔ, lì xī nán dé péng, dōng běi sàng péng. Ān zhēn, jí.)
"Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to be steady like a mare. It is favorable to move with direction: at first there is confusion, then a guiding direction is found. It is favorable to gain companions in the southwest and to lose companions in the northeast. Resting in correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome."
This passage describes a path that unfolds through yielding rather than forcing. At first, direction may not be clear, but by remaining open and responsive, alignment gradually emerges. The references to gaining and losing companions point to moving with what supports you and letting go of what does not.
The core idea is steady receptivity. By remaining grounded and consistent, one finds the right path and proceeds with support rather than strain.
Hexagram 2 Image
地势坤，君子以厚德载物。
(Dì shì kūn, jūn zǐ yǐ hòu dé zài wù.)
"The earth's condition is receptive: the receptive. The superior person carries and supports all things through depth and capacity."
The earth receives and sustains everything without preference or resistance. This becomes a model for human conduct: to develop depth of character that can hold responsibility and support others.
The emphasis is on capacity rather than control. Strength is expressed through what one can carry and sustain over time.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team