Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 4
Treading Carefully becomes Gentleness
What this change means
Wind upon wind: the first, third and fourth lines move, and both trigrams soften into the yielding wind. The two judgments weigh the same here. The starting one is the tiger that doesn't bite: a hard situation made passable by awareness and a light step. The resulting hexagram, 57 Gentleness, carries that further: gain comes through softness, not pressure or big actions. Choose a path and stay on it steadily, and even if progress seems slight, small actions build into success, with the support of those above you. Put together, they make gentleness the method from start to finish. Don't force the tiger, don't force the outcome. Walk one road patiently, be courteous with everyone along it, and look for backing from people with more experience. Quiet persistence is what gets you there.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- The judgment of 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
- Line 1 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're in a position out of view that will let you focus on your projects.
A plain step. Going: no fault.
- Line 3 of 10 Treading Carefully
By overestimating your abilities, you may take on tasks you're not prepared for.
The one-eyed can see, the lame can walk. Stepping on the tiger's tail, and it bites. Misfortune. A warrior acts for the great prince.
- Line 4 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're getting involved in a risky venture, but your inner strength and firmness will help you succeed.
Stepping on the tiger's tail. Wary, wary; in the end, good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
57 Gentleness → 10 Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, and 3
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, and 4
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 3, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, and 6
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 4, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 5, and 6
- 51Shocklines 2, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 3, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.