渐
JiànUpper: Wind · 巽 · Lower: Mountain · 艮
Judgment女归吉，利贞。
In plain wordsThe woman marries and it is fortunate, and it favors staying on the right course. Jian means gradual progress: doing things in order and by stages, not expecting to be there in one step, is more secure.
The imageWind above, mountain below: a tree on a mountain grows gradually, step by step.
A hint for youBig things come through stepwise progress, so do not skip steps. Make each stage stable before moving to the next, and progress will be more solid than you expect.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初六鸿渐于干，小子厉，有言，无咎。The first line, divided, shows the wild geese gradually approaching the shore. A young officer (in similar circumstances) will be in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.
- 六二鸿渐于磐，饮食衎衎，吉。The second line, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
- 九三鸿渐于陆，夫征不复，妇孕不育，凶；利御寇。The third line, undivided, shows them gradually advanced to the dry plains. (It suggests also the idea of) a husband who goes on an expedition from which he does not return, and of a wife who is pregnant, but will not nourish her child. There will be evil. (The case symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.
- 六四鸿渐于木，或得其桷，无咎。The fourth line, divided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.
- 九五鸿渐于陵，妇三岁不孕，终莫之胜，吉。The fifth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the high mound. (It suggests the idea of) a wife who for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
- 上九鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪，吉。The sixth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights (beyond). Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.
Gradual progress
For entertainment and self-reflection only