Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Simplicity becomes A Subordinate Role
What this change means
Lake beneath, Thunder overhead: the bottom four lines move, and neither the Mountain nor the Earth survives. When this much changes, guidance comes from what stays put in 54 A Subordinate Role, its fifth and top lines. The first says that calmly accepting second place right now can bring success, and that your talent will show even when the situation looks unfavorable. The second warns that holding such a role with resentment or unease costs you the rewards you'd find by doing it wholeheartedly. This is where Simplicity lands. You may have to step behind others, and any personal initiative could backfire. The humility you've practiced becomes concrete: taking the lower seat without bitterness. Keep the far end in view and notice what wears away. Do your part fully, without sulking or scheming, and wait for the moment when your position improves.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 54 A Subordinate Role, which stays still
Calmly accepting a subordinate position right now will bring you success. Your talent will show in spite of a situation that seems unfavorable.
Emperor Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. The lady's sleeves were not as fine as the second wife's. The moon is nearly full. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 54 A Subordinate Role, which stays still
Holding a subordinate position with resentment or unease only makes you lose the rewards you'd find if you did it wholeheartedly.
The woman holds the basket, and there is nothing in it; the man cuts the sheep, and there is no blood. Nothing is favorable.
- The judgment of 15 Simplicity
This isn't the time to boast or show off. It's time to keep things simple and to make sure you act fairly; your qualities and talents will show on their own and be recognized.
Success. The noble person reaches the end.
- Line 1 of 15 Simplicity
Doing great things without pretension or pride will let you bring what you want to a good end, because you'll have no opponents.
Humble in their humility, the noble person can cross the great river. Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 15 Simplicity
If you do things from the heart and with simplicity, you'll be recognized.
Humility that makes itself heard. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 15 Simplicity
If, despite your position and fame, you stay humble, you won't create rivalries and you'll succeed.
A noble person humble in toil. Reaching the end: good fortune.
- Line 4 of 15 Simplicity
If you carry out your tasks with dedication and without expecting recognition, you'll have great success.
Nothing that is not favorable. Humility spread wide.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
54 A Subordinate Role → 15 Simplicitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Simplicity
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.