| Name | 渐 Jiàn, “Development” |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☴ 巽 Wind: gentle, persistent influence |
| Lower trigram | ☶ 艮 Mountain: stillness and limits |
The Judgment
女归吉，利贞。
The maiden is given in marriage. Fortune. Wise to stay true.
Slow, ceremonial progress. The right unfolding takes time. Don't skip steps.
The Image
山上有木，渐；君子以居贤德善俗。
A tree on the mountain — Development. The wise dwell in virtuous dignity to improve the customs of the people.
Be a tall steady tree. Just standing there with dignity changes the people around you.
The six lines
If a line changes in your cast, read its text below. Lines are numbered from the bottom.
Line 1 · first (bottom) · Yin
鸿渐于干，小子厉，有言，无咎。
The wild goose approaches the shore. The young son — danger. There is talk. No blame.
First arrival at the new place. Vulnerable, exposed, people will talk. But you didn't do anything wrong — just keep going.
Line 2 · second · Yin
鸿渐于磐，饮食衎衎，吉。
The wild goose approaches the cliff. Eating and drinking in peace and harmony. Fortune.
First stable ground. A meal, a moment with your people. Real fortune in the small.
Line 3 · third · Yang
鸿渐于陆。夫征不复，妇孕不育，凶。利御寇。
The wild goose approaches the plateau. The man goes out and does not return. The woman carries a child but does not bring it forth. Misfortune. Wise to defend against robbers.
Things going off-path. Departures without return, beginnings without completions. Protect what you've built — danger nearby.
Line 4 · fourth · Yin
鸿渐于木，或得其桷，无咎。
The wild goose approaches the tree. Perhaps it will find a flat branch. No blame.
Adapt to where you've landed. May not be the perfect perch, but a good-enough one works.
Line 5 · fifth · Yang
鸿渐于陵。妇三岁不孕，终莫之胜，吉。
The wild goose approaches the summit. The wife does not conceive for three years. In the end — nothing can hinder. Fortune.
Reached the top, but expected results aren't coming yet. Don't panic. Three years of patience and then it all opens.
Line 6 · top · Yang
鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪，吉。
The wild goose approaches the clouds. Its feathers can be used in the sacred dance. Fortune.
Highest reach. Even when you move on, what you leave behind becomes ritual and meaning.
Related hexagrams
- Inverted (turned upside down): Hexagram 54, The Marrying Maiden
- Complement (every line reversed): Hexagram 54, The Marrying Maiden