Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Simplicity becomes Opposites
What this change means
Fire above and Lake below, two forces drawing apart: five lines move, and only the fifth stays still. That unmoving line of 38 Opposites says that in the midst of difference you'll find someone loyal whom you may not recognize at first, but who comes to you and supports you. It's a quietly hopeful note in a time of opposition, when the people around you differ from you and what you can achieve together is small for now. Simplicity helps you not to dismiss anyone too quickly. Keep your own nature, let others keep theirs, and contribute from where you stand to a shared aim. Don't give in, and don't demand that everyone think alike. An ally may arrive in an unfamiliar form; leave room to notice them.
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 38 Opposites, which stays still
In the midst of opposites you'll find someone loyal whom you won't recognize at first, but they'll come to you and support you.
Regret vanishes. Their clan bites into tender flesh. Going: what fault could there be?
- 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.
- Line 6 of 15 Simplicity
If situations come up that aren't right, your stance must be firm: take the actions needed to correct them.
Humility that makes itself heard. It is favorable to set the army in motion against the town and the country.
- The judgment of 38 Opposites
You're in a situation of opposition: the people around you are different from you, yet you need to share with them. This means that what you can achieve for now is small. Even so, don't give in. It matters that both you and they keep your own nature and contribute from there to a shared project.
In small matters, good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 15 Simplicitylines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Simplicity
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.