Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Held Back becomes Great Manifestation
What this change means
Thunder above heaven: once the first, second, fourth and fifth lines turn, Held Back becomes 34 Great Manifestation. Of the new figure, only the third and top lines stand unmoved, and both warn against misusing strength. The third says that showing off your power and achievements now draws hostility and trouble your way. The top line describes pushing ahead without thinking or listening until you hit a wall; seeing this before you go too far lets you change course. After a period of being blocked, it's natural to want to prove yourself once the strength returns. Don't. You do have what's needed for big projects, but this is a time to persevere quietly and let thinking and acting stay in step. Ask for feedback before you charge, keep your success low-key, and leave yourself room to turn if the road ahead closes.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 34 Great Manifestation, which stays still
If you show off your power and your achievements right now, you'll draw hostile looks and bad situations your way.
The petty person uses strength; the noble person does not. Constancy is in danger. A ram butts the fence and tangles its horns.
- Line 6 of 34 Great Manifestation, which stays still
If you push ahead without thinking and without taking in feedback, you reach a point that becomes a wall and blocks your way. Being aware of this before you go too far will let you change course.
A ram butts the fence: it can't go back, it can't go on. Nothing is favorable. Taking on the hardship: good fortune.
- The judgment of 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 1 of 39 Held Back
A strategic retreat in the face of obstacles will help you reflect, come up with new strategies, and act when conditions are right.
Going: hardship. Coming: praise.
- Line 2 of 39 Held Back
It's time to face the difficulties, which seem to grow as you advance. Still, if your actions go hand in hand with inner integrity, you'll succeed in the end.
The king's servant, in hardship upon hardship, and not of their own doing.
- Line 4 of 39 Held Back
You won't get past the obstacles on your own. It's time to return to more stable conditions and look for support from like-minded people; with their help you'll succeed.
Going: hardship. Coming: joined with others.
- Line 5 of 39 Held Back
You have great conviction and clear goals, which let you keep going despite the obstacles. Your inner strength will draw help to you.
Great hardship: friends arrive.
- The judgment of 34 Great Manifestation
You have what it takes to carry out big projects and achieve extraordinary things. Still, you need to stay active and keep persevering. Thinking and acting in harmony will keep you holding to what is right and will make your achievements last.
Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
34 Great Manifestation → 39 Held Backlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Held Back
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 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.