Transformation · lines 2 and 6
Loss, Then Gain becomes Simplicity
What this change means
Two mountains appear, one hidden inside the earth, as the second and top lines change. The top line leads: high goals, beyond your own interest, drive you toward success, and the old image honors someone who holds their own work above any patron's favor. The second line adds a personal fault to correct, a lack of perseverance, which you can mend by reflecting and returning to the path with resolve, though without harshness. The movement leads to 15 Simplicity, where boasting doesn't help, and keeping things plain and fair lets your qualities show on their own. So the repair is modest in style and large in aim. Keep your purpose high, but your manner simple. Come back to the work steadily and quietly, without announcing your return. Recognition, if it comes, will come from the work itself.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
If you have high goals, beyond purely personal interests, and let them drive you, you'll succeed.
Serving neither kings nor lords; holding one's own work high.
- Line 2 of 18 Loss, Then Gain
Your losses come from weakness, from not persevering. Reflecting and taking up the path again with resolve will bring success.
Setting right what the mother spoiled. Constancy will not do.
- The judgment of 18 Loss, Then Gain
You've made mistakes that have brought you into decline; still, admitting it and making the corrections needed will lead you back to success. Take time to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, give success time to arrive.
Great success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the first day, three days after the first day.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
15 Simplicity → 18 Loss, Then Gainlines 2 and 6
Other transformations of Loss, Then Gain
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 2
- 41Decreaselines 1 and 3
- 23The Falllines 2 and 3
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 2 and 4
- 64Transitionlines 3 and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1 and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3 and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 4 and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1 and 6
- 7The Armylines 3 and 6
- 32What Lastslines 4 and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.