53 · 漸
Hexagram 53, 漸. Original Chinese judgment: 女歸吉，利貞。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
女歸吉，利貞。
Line texts
- 初六：鴻漸于干，小子厲，有言，无咎。
- 六二：鴻漸于磐，飲食衎衎，吉。
- 九三：鴻漸于陸，夫征不復，婦孕不育，凶；利禦寇。
- 六四：鴻漸于木，或得其桷，无咎。
- 九五：鴻漸于陵，婦三歲不孕，終莫之勝，吉。
- 上九：鴻漸于陸，其羽可用為儀，吉。
Tuan commentary
漸之進也，女歸吉也。進得位，往有功也。進以正，可以正邦也。其位剛，得中也。止而巽，動不窮也。
Great Image commentary
山上有木，漸；君子以居賢德，善俗。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 小子之厲，義无咎也。
- 飲食衎衎，不素飽也。
- 夫征不復，離群醜也。婦孕不育，失其道也。利用禦寇，順相保也。
- 或得其桷，順以巽也。
- 終莫之勝，吉；得所願也。
- 其羽可用為儀，吉；不可亂也。
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese
Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.
朱熹《周易本義》
Judgment exegesis
Zhu Xi explains Jian, the Gradual Advance hexagram, through Gen stopping below and Xun responding above, stressing that advance must not be abrupt. Most lines from the second to fifth are correctly placed; sequential, correct advance can continue without exhaustion.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- The first yin line is like a wild goose first reaching shore, low and unsettled without correspondence above. Though the young face danger and criticism, principle can still allow freedom from blame.
- Yielding, centered correctness in the second line gradually reaches stable rock and corresponds above with the fifth. Gains arise from the proper way rather than mere enjoyment, bringing harmonious joy and auspiciousness.
- Excessive firmness in the third line, which is not centered and lacks proper correspondence, is like a waterbird reaching unstable land, with relationships and procreation departing from their proper course. Its firmness can nevertheless defend against outside threats.
- The fourth yin line is on a tree unsuitable for a goose, but yielding responsiveness in Xun finds a level branch. Choosing a place according to circumstances avoids blame.
- The honored fifth yang line properly corresponds with the second yin but is blocked by the third and fourth, like prolonged inability to unite. The proper correspondence cannot ultimately be taken away, so the wish is fulfilled auspiciously.
- The top yang line advances beyond the human position. Although very high, its feathers still serve as ceremonial adornment without losing use. Its distinguished, ordered purpose must not be disturbed.
Plain-language reading
Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.
Judgment introduction
Jian, the Gradual Advance hexagram, describes proceeding in sequence. Knowing when to stop below and entering responsively above show that progress cannot be abrupt. Each step must establish a fitting place and accord with the proper way for progress to continue.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- Like a wild goose first reaching the shore, the position is low and unsettled. Despite danger and criticism, what is right has not yet been lost.
- Gradual advance reaches a stable rock and a proper correspondence above. What is gained comes through the proper way, bringing harmony and joy.
- Excessive firmness without correspondence is like a waterbird reaching unsettled land, with relationships out of order. Firm strength is suitable only for defending against outside threats.
- In a place unsuitable for nesting, one nevertheless finds a level branch by responding to the circumstances, and so is without blame.
- The proper correspondence is temporarily blocked and cannot unite for a long time. A genuinely corresponding relationship is ultimately not taken away.
- Gradual advance reaches a great height, yet the feathers remain useful as ceremonial adornment, showing distinguished order without loss of purpose.