I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 29 with Changing Lines 2, 3, 4 to Hexagram 31

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 29.2.3.4 -> 31

29. Repeated Depth (坎 Kǎn)

Trigrams

Above
☵ Kǎn (Water)
Below
☵ Kǎn (Water)

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. With trust, the heart remains open. 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 into depth: repeated depth. One maintains constant conduct and practices what is learned."

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 there is danger. 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 proceed."

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 fault."

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

Acceptance of modest assistance allows continuation without error.

Changing to:

31. Resonance (咸 Xián)

Trigrams

Above
☱ Duì (Lake)
Below
☶ Gèn (Mountain)

The Symbolism of Hexagram 31

Hexagram 咸 (Xián) describes resonance—how one system responds to another through sensitivity and internal alignment. Influence here is not applied force, but the natural transmission of signal between receptive structures.

The mountain below provides stability, while the lake above allows openness and exchange. Together, they form a system where stillness enables accurate reception, and openness allows response. This hexagram models how connection forms through responsiveness rather than control.

Hexagram 31 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
咸,亨,利貞。取女吉。
(Xián, hēng, lì zhēn. Qǔ nǚ jí.)
English Translation:
"Resonance brings progress. It is favorable to remain steady. Forming a union brings good fortune."

This describes a state where mutual responsiveness allows connection to form naturally. Stability is required so that influence is not distorted or forced.

When alignment is genuine, union emerges without friction. The system holds together because its components respond to one another accurately.

Hexagram 31 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
山上有澤,咸。君子以虛受人。
(Shān shàng yǒu zé, xián. Jūn zǐ yǐ xū shòu rén.)
English Translation:
"A lake rests above the mountain: resonance. The superior person remains open and receives others."

The mountain holds still while the lake responds to what it encounters. This pairing creates a system capable of sensing and responding without distortion.

Openness is not passivity, but clarity of reception. By remaining unfilled, one can register external influence accurately and respond appropriately.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team