What this change means
Both trigrams become Wind as the first, fourth and top lines move, wind following wind, and the two judgments are weighed in balance. Overflowing speaks of pressure that must come out, with tactful words and generosity to soften it. The resulting hexagram, 57 Gentleness, describes a time when progress comes through gentleness rather than force: choose a path, keep to it steadily, and let small actions build up, seeking support from those above you. Together they suggest a quiet way of releasing tension. Instead of one hard confrontation, use patient, repeated influence. Say what matters in a way people can hear, again if needed. Don't expect visible results right away. Steady, gentle persistence tends to get further now than pressure would, and it doesn't create new resistance.
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 43 Overflowing
It's a time of excessive buildup: some situations are about to get out of control and overwhelm you, both personally and in your relationships. You need to bring what's happening into the open, but without speaking about it directly; watch your words so you don't provoke reactions. It's a time to act generously to ease the tension that's there.
It is proclaimed in the king's court. A sincere cry: there is danger. Word comes from one's own city. It is not favorable to take up arms. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- The judgment of 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
- Line 1 of 43 Overflowing
It's time to act slowly but firmly; acting in a hurry will make circumstances stop you.
Strength in the front toes. Going without prevailing is a fault.
- Line 4 of 43 Overflowing
You want to push ahead at all costs at a time when it isn't wise, and you refuse to listen to advice. That will lead you into trouble.
Buttocks without skin; the walk falters. Leading the ram by a rope: regret vanishes. Hears words and does not believe them.
- Line 6 of 43 Overflowing
In a moment of success and achievement you can't relax, because there are people undermining what you've achieved, and they'll lead you to loss.
No cry. In the end, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
57 Gentleness → 43 Overflowinglines 1, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Overflowing
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, and 4
- 29Waterlines 1, 3, and 4
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 4
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 5
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 1, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 2, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 3, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 3, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 3, 5, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.