I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 29 with Changing Lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to Hexagram 56

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 29.2.3.4.5.6 -> 56

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

29. Repeated Depth

Yang Yin Yang Yang Yin Yin

56. Transit

29. Repeated Depth (坎 Kǎn)

Trigrams

Above
☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth
Below
☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth

The Symbolism of Hexagram 29

Hexagram 坎 (Kǎn) describes repeated descent into depth. It represents recurring exposure to danger, requiring continuity of movement and internal stability.

Hexagram 29 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
習坎，有孚，維心亨，行有尚。
(Xí kǎn, yǒu fú, wéi xīn hēng, xíng yǒu shàng.)
English Translation:
"Repeated depth. There is underlying alignment. In the heart, there is smooth progress. Movement has value."

The situation involves recurring entry into difficulty. Stability must come from within, not from external conditions.

Continuity of movement is required. Stopping within danger leads to entrapment.

Hexagram 29 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
水流至坎，習坎。君子以常德行，習教事。
(Shuǐ liú zhì kǎn, xí kǎn. Jūn zǐ yǐ cháng dé xíng, xí jiào shì.)
English Translation:
"Water flows on into the depths: repeated depth. The superior person keeps conduct constant and practices the work of instruction."

Water does not resist the terrain—it continues through it. This reflects persistence through danger rather than avoidance.

Consistency of behavior provides stability when conditions are unstable.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
坎有險，求小得。
(Kǎn yǒu xiǎn, qiú xiǎo dé.)
English Translation:
"Within the depth risk present. Seek small gains."

Large movement is not possible. Progress must be incremental.

Stability is maintained through limited, controlled advancement.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
(Lái zhī kǎn kǎn, xiǎn qiě zhěn, rù yú kǎn dàn, wù yòng.)
English Translation:
"Approaching depth upon depth. Danger accumulates. Entering a pit within it—do not engage."

Conditions compound rather than resolve. Movement leads deeper into instability.

At this point, action increases risk instead of resolving it.

Line 4 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
樽酒簋貳，用缶，納約自牖，終无咎。
(Zūn jiǔ guǐ èr, yòng fǒu, nà yuē zì yǒu, zhōng wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"A vessel of wine and simple food, received through a window. In the end, no error."

Support arrives in a limited and indirect way. It is not grand, but it is sufficient.

Acceptance of modest assistance allows continuation without error.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。
(Kǎn bù yíng, zhī jì píng, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"The depth is not filled; it has reached level. No error."

The danger has stabilized and is no longer increasing.

This creates a condition where movement can resume without escalation.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。
(Xì yòng huī mò, zhì yú cóng jí, sān suì bù dé, xiōng.)
English Translation:
"Bound with cords and placed among thorns. For three cycles, there is no release. Unfavorable outcome."

Entrapment occurs due to prolonged exposure to danger without resolution.

Failure to move through earlier stages results in sustained confinement.

Changing to:

56. Transit (旅 Lǚ)

Trigrams

Above
☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
Below
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness

The Symbolism of Hexagram 56

Hexagram 旅 (Lǚ) represents movement without a fixed base—operating within environments that are temporary, external, or not fully one's own. It is a condition of passage rather than settlement.

Fire on the mountain illustrates something that appears, illuminates briefly, and then moves on. It does not root itself into the structure beneath it. This reflects a system where presence is real but transient, requiring careful regulation of behavior, scope, and attachment.

Hexagram 56 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
旅，小亨，旅貞吉。
(Lǚ, xiǎo hēng, lǚ zhēn jí.)
English Translation:
"Transit. Limited smooth progress. In travel, correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome."

This hexagram describes functioning outside of a stable or established base. Because the system is not anchored, only limited success is possible, and outcomes depend heavily on conduct.

Stability must be internal rather than external. By maintaining restraint, clarity of role, and respect for boundaries, the system avoids disruption. Overextension, entitlement, or attachment to temporary conditions leads to instability and loss.

Hexagram 56 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
山上有火，旅。君子以明慎用刑，而不留狱。
(Shān shàng yǒu huǒ, lǚ. Jūn zǐ yǐ míng shèn yòng xíng, ér bù liú yù.)
English Translation:
"Fire burns on the mountain: transit. The superior person is clear and cautious in applying penalties and does not prolong imprisonment."

The fire illuminates but does not remain—it moves on once its purpose is complete. This reflects the principle that actions in a transient state must be precise and limited in duration.

The superior person avoids entanglement by resolving issues cleanly and without delay. Nothing is allowed to linger unnecessarily. By keeping actions contained and purposeful, the system maintains balance within an inherently unstable environment.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team