Modesty
Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Mountain (艮 Gèn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 15, 謙 (Qiān), represents Modesty.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 15 (謙 Qiān). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/qian1). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
謙：亨，君子有終。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Success. For the noble person, there is completion.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
地中有山,谦。君子以裒多益寡,称物平施。
James Legge: (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).
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初六：謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
James Legge: The first SIX, 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.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
六二：鳴謙，貞吉。
James Legge: The second SIX, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
九三：勞謙，君子有終，吉。
James Legge: The third NINE, undivided, shows the superior man of (acknowledged) merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have good fortune.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
六四：无不利，撝謙。
James Legge: The fourth SIX, divided, shows one, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirring up (the more) his humility.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
六五：不富，以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。
James Legge: The fifth SIX, 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.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
James Legge: The sixth SIX, 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.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Modesty can prompt a careful question about self-presentation: what remains steady when achievement is not displayed? The figure's repeated statement that modesty furthers reads here as the text's own valuation within its world — not a guarantee that humility is always rewarded in any present-day setting, and not an instruction to shrink, defer, or hide ability.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
This reflection predicts nothing. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 15 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.