Transformation · lines 5 and 6

Transition becomes Overwhelmed

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

The two top lines move, and the fire above becomes a lake that has lost its water. The top line leads: there's good reason to celebrate and share, but drinking past the point of measure, getting your head wet, turns trust into loss. The fifth line describes what you've earned: the noble person's light, sincere trust, a result you can enjoy and use for others' good. The resulting hexagram, 47 Overwhelmed, describes being hard-pressed, surrounded by the wrong people, not believed, with obstacles all around, and leaning on your inner light to hold you up. So the warning is sharp. Excess after success can drain everything. Keep the celebration modest, protect the trust you've built, and keep your inner strength intact. It's what will hold you if pressure comes.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 6 of 64 Transition

    You'll have success and tangible results. You can relax, have fun and share what you've achieved with others, but don't overdo it: any excess will lead to loss.

    There is sincere trust in drinking wine. No fault. If the head gets wet, trust loses its measure.

  2. Line 5 of 64 Transition

    You get what you want; you'll be able to enjoy it and contribute to the well-being of others.

    Constancy brings good fortune. No regret. The light of the noble person: there is sincere trust. Good fortune.

  3. The judgment of 64 Transition

    Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.

    Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.

  4. The judgment of 47 Overwhelmed

    Things are very much against you: the wrong people surround you, no one believes what you say, and obstacles hem you in. All you can do is accept it and wait for better conditions to come. Your only resource is the inner light that lives in you; turn to that strength to hold you up right now.

    Success. For the great person, constancy brings good fortune. No fault. They speak and are not believed.

The trigrams

Below Water stays
Above Fire Lake

The way back

47 Overwhelmed → 64 Transition
lines 5 and 6

Other transformations of Transition

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins