Transformation · lines 4, 5, and 6

Small Things becomes Great Manifestation

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Thunder rises above heaven when the upper three lines move, and the gentle Wind of the start becomes a roll of force. Three moving lines mean both judgments count equally. Small Things holds a success that isn't ready yet, with obstacles to resolve and small actions while you wait for the moment. The resulting hexagram, 34 Great Manifestation, says you have the capacity for large projects and uncommon results, as long as you stay active, persevere, and keep thought and action in harmony so you hold to what's right. Together they describe restraint giving way to power. The strength is real now. The question is how you use it. Keep doing what's right, step by step, and don't let the sudden capacity make you careless. Lasting achievement comes from strength that stays principled.

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 9 Small Things

    You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.

    Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.

  2. The judgment of 34 Great Manifestation

    You have what it takes to carry out big projects and achieve extraordinary things. Still, you need to stay active and keep persevering. Thinking and acting in harmony will keep you holding to what is right and will make your achievements last.

    Constancy is favorable.

  3. Line 4 of 9 Small Things

    If you act fairly, you may meet difficulties at first, but little by little the obstacles will fade until you reach your goal.

    There is sincere trust. The blood goes, the fear leaves. No fault.

  4. Line 5 of 9 Small Things

    Allying with others and being loyal in that alliance will bring success.

    There is sincere trust, bound together as by a cord. Growing rich alongside the neighbor.

  5. Line 6 of 9 Small Things

    You get what you want thanks to step-by-step work. Still, don't rest on your laurels: you have to stay constant and keep working little by little.

    The rain has come, the rest has come. Virtue has piled up like a load. The wife's constancy is in danger. The moon is nearly full. For the noble person, setting out brings misfortune.

The trigrams

Below Heaven stays
Above Wind Thunder

The way back

34 Great Manifestation → 9 Small Things
lines 4, 5, and 6

Other transformations of Small Things

Make your own cast

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

Toss the coins