qiānAlso known as “Modesty” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Khien” (Legge)
humilitymodestybalance
In plain words
A mountain hidden within the earth: greatness that stays low. The only hexagram whose six lines all turn out well — humility succeeds, and the superior person carries things through to the end.
The attitude it asks for
Take less, give more, level the heights: modesty is a strength that others gladly support.
Structure
Upper trigram☷坤Kun (the Receptive)地 · earth · Earth
Khien indicates progress and success. It is the way of heaven to send down its beneficial influences below, where they are brilliantly displayed. It is the way of earth, lying low, to send its influences upwards and (there) to act.
It is the way of heaven to diminish the full and augment the humble. It is the way of earth to overthrow the full and replenish the humble. Spiritual Beings inflict calamity on the full and bless the humble. It is the way of men to hate the full and love the humble. Humility in a position of honour makes that still more brilliant; and in a low position men will not (seek to) pass beyond it. Thus it is that 'the superior man will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).'
The Image
地中有山，謙；君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。
(The trigram for) the earth and (that of) a mountain in the midst of it form Khien. The superior man, in accordance with this, diminishes what is excessive (in himself), and increases where there is any defect, bringing about an equality, according to the nature of the case, in his treatment (of himself and others).
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
The sixth line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. The subject of it will with advantage put his hosts in motion; but (he will only) punish his own towns and state.
Its symbolism
鳴謙，志未得也。可用行師，征邑國也。
'His humility has made itself recognised:'—(but) all his aims have not yet been attained. 'He may employ the force of arms, (but only) in correcting (his own) towns and state.'
The fifth line, divided, shows one who, without being rich, is able to employ his neighbours. He may advantageously use the force of arms. All his movements will be advantageous.
Its symbolism
利用侵伐，征不服也。
'He may advantageously use the force of arms:'—correcting, that is, those who do not submit.
The fourth line, divided, shows one, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirring up (the more) his humility.
Its symbolism
无不利，撝謙；不違則也。
'One, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirs up his humility the more:'—(but in doing so) he does not act contrary to the (proper) rule.
The second line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
鳴謙貞吉，中心得也。
'The good fortune consequent on being firm and correct, where the humility has made itself recognised,' is owing to the possessor's having (the virtue) in the core of his heart.
The first line, divided, shows us the superior man who adds humility to humility. (Even) the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
謙謙君子，卑以自牧也。
'The superior man who adds humility to humility' is one who nourishes his (virtue) in lowliness.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 15, Humility, mean?
A mountain hidden within the earth: greatness that stays low. The only hexagram whose six lines all turn out well — humility succeeds, and the superior person carries things through to the end.
Which trigrams form Humility?
坤 above 艮 — earth over mountain. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 解 Release.
What happens when a line of Humility changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Humility in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - - - — - - - - - - is Humility. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.