Hexagram 15 as yes or no
Hexagram 15 Humility as a yes-or-no answer
To a yes-or-no question Qian answers yes, the safest yes in the I Ching: all six lines are favourable, and the judgment says the superior person carries the matter through. The condition is written into the name — the thing goes well when approached with modesty, taking less and giving more, as the mountain goes well by staying under the earth. Pride is the only way to spoil it.
The changing line sets the manner. One: yes, start from the lowest honest position, and the great crossing is open. Two: yes, provided your modesty is real and not reputation. Three: yes, you have earned it — do it without saying so. Four: yes, with deference shown in both directions. Five: yes, and if gentleness is refused you may act firmly. Six: the aim is not yet reached; put your own affairs in order before going further. A changing line in the lower trigram says proceed humbly; one in the upper trigram says humility now includes acting, outward at five and inward at six.
The hexagram in brief
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.
Take less, give more, level the heights: modesty is a strength that others gladly support.
The judgment
謙：亨，君子有終。Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).
Which line changed?
A changing line sharpens the answer. Each line of 謙 Humility has its own page:
- 初六Six at the beginninghumble upon humble · crossing the river · tending oneself low
- 六二Six in the second placehumility that sounds · from the heart · central and correct
- 九三Nine in the third placemerit with humility · ruler of the hexagram · all submit
- 六四Six in the fourth placenothing unfavourable · showing humility · not breaking the rule
- 六五Six in the fifth placenot rich, yet neighbours · correcting the unsubmissive · humility with force
- 上六Six at the tophumility heard · aim not attained · only one's own town
The same hexagram for
Questions
- Does hexagram 15, Humility, mean yes or no?
- To a yes-or-no question Qian answers yes, the safest yes in the I Ching: all six lines are favourable, and the judgment says the superior person carries the matter through. The condition is written into the name — the thing goes well when approached with modesty, taking less and giving more, as the mountain goes well by staying under the earth. Pride is the only way to spoil it.
- What does Hexagram 15, 謙 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.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).