What this change means
Water above and Water below: three lines move, the second, third and fifth, and both trigrams become the same flowing danger. Both judgments count the same here. Simplicity's is about modesty: no bragging, simple ways, fair dealing, and patience until your qualities are seen. The resulting hexagram, 29 Water, describes obstacles arriving one after another, which you can get past if you keep moving like a stream that never stagnates. Fear that freezes you is the real risk. Modesty serves you well in this repeated difficulty. Someone attached to their image tends to stop and defend it; someone simple keeps flowing. Don't waste effort on looking strong. Find the next opening, go through it, and keep your conduct steady from one obstacle to the next. Consistency in virtue and in daily practice is what carries you through.
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 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.
- The judgment of 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
- 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 5 of 15 Simplicity
If you hold a position of power, don't abuse it, but don't be careless about other people's mistakes either. It's time to observe and to take measured action.
Not rich, alongside the neighbors. It is favorable to attack and subdue. Nothing that is not favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
29 Water → 15 Simplicitylines 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Simplicity
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, and 3
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, and 4
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, and 4
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 4
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 4, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 2, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 3, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 3, 4, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 3, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.