謙
Hexagram 15 · 謙
Upper trigram: 坤 · Lower trigram: 艮
Qian (Modesty): the hexagram of measured self-placement. Recognize real ability, reduce excess, and give others a fair share.
The image
Earth lies above mountain, covering a height that remains substantial within. The mountain's firmness is present without dominating the view. Qian here means modesty, a different Chinese character from hexagram 1. Its image joins genuine ability with restraint and proportion.
Judgment
亨，君子有終。
Flourishing. The exemplary person brings matters to completion.
The commentary describes a broad tendency for excess to diminish and what is low to receive support. In a team, acknowledging others' contributions often makes one's own skill easier to trust and use.
Great Image
地中有山，謙；君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。
Within the earth there is a mountain: Modesty. The exemplary person accordingly reduces what is excessive, adds to what is lacking, weighs things, and distributes evenly.
Modesty involves practical proportion, not pretending to have no ability. A household can apply it by adjusting chores when one member carries much more than the others.
Line texts
Line 1 · 初六
謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
The deeply modest exemplary person may cross the great river. Good fortune.
Six in the first place is yin deliberately taking a low position. The Small Image describes self-cultivation through humility, like an experienced traveler asking local advice before attempting an unfamiliar route.
Line 2 · 六二
鳴謙，貞吉。
Modesty makes itself heard. Constancy brings good fortune.
Six in the second place is central and fitting yin. The Small Image roots its expression in the heart, like a colleague whose genuine appreciation is evident in ordinary conversation.
Line 3 · 九三
勞謙君子，有終吉。
The exemplary person works hard and remains modest. There is completion and good fortune.
Nine in the third place is the single yang line, carrying real strength without self-inflation. The Small Image describes widespread respect, like a skilled organizer doing difficult work while sharing credit freely.
Line 4 · 六四
无不利，撝謙。
Nothing is unfavorable. Put modesty into action.
Six in the fourth place is fitting yin able to give modesty practical form. The Small Image stresses proper measure, like a supervisor revising an unfair rota rather than merely speaking humbly.
Line 5 · 六五
不富，以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。
Without relying on wealth, one acts with neighbors. It is beneficial to undertake corrective attack; nothing is unfavorable.
Six in the fifth place is central yin whose modesty need not exclude firmness. The Small Image addresses resistance, like a committee enforcing agreed rules after patient requests have been ignored.
Line 6 · 上六
鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
Modesty makes itself heard. It is beneficial to employ the army to correct one's own towns and state.
Six at the top is yin with a purpose not yet fulfilled. The Small Image directs correction toward one's own domain, like a leader examining internal practices before criticizing other organizations.
When asking about
Career
Quiet competence often earns useful trust. Accept responsibility while sharing credit and correcting unfair workloads.
Love
Modesty can make listening easier. Express needs honestly without making either person's pride the center.
Money
Proportion tends to matter more than display. Direct resources toward actual needs and reduce unnecessary excess.
Home
Fair distribution can improve everyday cooperation. Notice who needs help and who has capacity to contribute.
Study
Recognizing gaps is often the beginning of deeper learning. Accept correction without dismissing what you already know.
Health
Moderate routines can be easier to maintain than ambitious extremes. See a doctor for any health concern.
Advice
Place your abilities accurately rather than inflating or denying them. Reduce excess, support what is lacking, and be firm when fairness requires action.
Related hexagrams
Weighing a decision? Cast a hexagram for your own question.
Cast a hexagramReference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.