Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 5

Activity becomes Transition

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Fire stands above Water as the first, third and fifth lines move, and every strong line in an odd place shifts at once. Both judgments weigh equally. 1 Activity carries the drive of beginnings and what a project needs to succeed. The resulting hexagram, 64 Transition, says things are coming together and great projects are possible, but some pieces haven't fallen into place yet. Together they describe a threshold. You have the energy; the situation isn't finished. This is when mistakes born of haste or inexperience tend to happen, and they can happen even after you reach what you wanted, in a moment of hesitation. So stay alert. Sort things carefully and put each in its place. Don't declare victory early, and don't stall once you've started. Keep both your momentum and your attention to the end.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. The judgment of 1 Activity

    The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.

    Great success. Constancy is favorable.

  2. The judgment of 64 Transition

    Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.

    Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.

  3. Line 1 of 1 Activity

    It's not yet time to act.

    A dragon under the water. Do not act.

  4. Line 3 of 1 Activity

    Things are working, yet you worry for no apparent reason.

    The noble person strives and strives all day long, and at nightfall is still watchful. Danger. No fault.

  5. Line 5 of 1 Activity

    What you undertake brings good results, and help is there if you ask for it.

    The dragon flies in the sky. It is favorable to see the great person.

The trigrams

Below Heaven Water
Above Heaven Fire

The way back

64 Transition → 1 Activity
lines 1, 3, and 5

Other transformations of Activity

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins