I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 24 with Changing Lines 1, 3 to Hexagram 15

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 24.1.3 -> 15

Young Yin Young Yin Young Yin Old Yin Young Yin Old Yang

24. Return

Yin Yin Yin Yang Yin Yin

15. Leveling

24. Return (復 Fù)

Trigrams

Above
☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
Below
☳ Zhèn (Thunder) — 雷 · Arousing

The Symbolism of Hexagram 24

Hexagram 復 (Fù) describes a return to origin after decline. It is the reappearance of movement at the base, marking the beginning of a new cycle.

Hexagram 24 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
復，亨，出入无疾，朋來无咎。反復其道，七日來復，利有攸往。
(Fù, hēng, chū rù wú jí, péng lái wú jiù. Fǎn fù qí dào, qī rì lái fù, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
English Translation:
"Return. Origin and smooth progress. Movement in and out without harm. Companions return: no error. The course turns back on itself; after seven days, return occurs. It is favorable to proceed."

After decline reaches its limit, movement begins again at the base. This return is not forced—it follows a natural cycle.

Because it aligns with the underlying pattern, movement is now possible again. What was lost begins to re-emerge.

Hexagram 24 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
雷在地中，復。先王以至日閉關，商旅不行，后不省方。
(Léi zài dì zhōng, fù. Xiān wáng yǐ zhì rì bì guān, shāng lǚ bù xíng, hòu bù xǐng fāng.)
English Translation:
"Thunder stirs within the earth: return. The superior person closes the passes and restrains movement at the turning point."

The returning force is still contained below the surface. It has not yet emerged fully.

At this stage, external movement is limited. The return must complete internally before outward expansion resumes.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
不遠復，无祗悔，元吉。
(Bù yuǎn fù, wú zhī huǐ, yuán jí.)
English Translation:
"Returning from not far. No regret. Primary favorable outcome."

Deviation is minimal and quickly corrected. The return occurs early.

Because alignment is restored immediately, the outcome is highly favorable.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
頻復，厲无咎。
(Pín fù, lì wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"Repeated returning. Risk present, no error."

There is instability—movement away and back again.

Though not ideal, continued returning prevents lasting error.

Changing to:

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

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

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: 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.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team