Qian 地山謙
A time when humility lifts you
Modesty is the best strategy. When you don’t show off, you are recognized all the more.
What does I Ching hexagram 15 (Modesty) mean?
A mountain lowering itself beneath the earth. The one who stays humble ends up lifted.
- Modesty in love
- A modest, considerate attitude is very attractive.
- Modesty at work and with money
- Even with skill, staying humble brings trust and success.
- Advice
- The higher you rise, the lower you should bow.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Modesty
No blame“Success; the noble person carries things through to the end.”
The Image: Within the earth there is a mountain: modesty. The noble person takes from where there is too much and adds where there is too little, weighing things to make them even.
原文 · 亨，君子有終。 / 地中有山，謙；君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。
The six lines of hexagram 15
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Auspicious“Modest, modest, a noble person; crossing the great river brings good fortune.”
Double modesty makes even a big challenge manageable.
原文 · 謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
Line 2 · 六二
Auspicious“Modesty that sounds out: perseverance brings good fortune.”
Your humility becomes known. Keep it up.
原文 · 鳴謙，貞吉。
Line 3 · 九三
Auspicious“A diligent, modest noble person: carrying things through to the end, good fortune.”
You work hard and stay humble. That leads to a good finish.
原文 · 勞謙君子，有終吉。
Line 4 · 六四
Auspicious“Nothing is unfavorable; exercise modesty.”
Even in a higher position, keep expressing humility.
原文 · 无不利，撝謙。
Line 5 · 六五
Auspicious“Not wealthy, but with neighbors: it is fitting to take action; nothing is unfavorable.”
With the support of those around you, acting firmly when needed is fine.
原文 · 不富，以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。
Line 6 · 上六
No blame“Modesty that sounds out: it is fitting to march the army and to attack one’s own town.”
Humility sometimes means correcting your own side. Be firm with those close to you.
原文 · 鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 10. Lu (Treading)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 16. Yu (Enthusiasm)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.