Transformation · lines 1, 2, and 6

Simplicity becomes Great Achievements

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Heaven is held inside the Mountain as the first, second and top lines move, a great strength gathered and kept. The two judgments weigh the same here. Simplicity asks you to avoid display and act fairly, trusting your qualities to show. The resulting hexagram, 26 Great Achievements, says it's a good moment to leave your comfort zone and try new actions, beyond what you think you can do, because you have the qualities needed. These two can seem to pull apart: one says don't show off, the other says reach further. But they meet in the image of storing up virtue by learning from the past. Real modesty isn't shrinking; it's knowing your measure accurately. If that measure is larger than you've let yourself believe, act on it, quietly and without fanfare. Unusual steps taken from a grounded place tend to go well.

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 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.

  2. The judgment of 26 Great Achievements

    It's a good moment to leave your comfort zone and take on new actions, beyond what you think you can do. Heaven favors unusual actions that will lead you to success, because you have the qualities needed.

    Constancy is favorable. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Mountain Heaven
Above Earth Mountain

The way back

26 Great Achievements → 15 Simplicity
lines 1, 2, 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.

Toss the coins