I Ching Hexagram 19 - Approach
Description and interpretations of I Ching (Yijing) hexagram 19 "Approach"
臨 - Lín
Địa Trạch Lâm
Approach
Upper (Outer) Trigram: ☷ Kun, Earth
Lower (Inner) Trigram: ☱ Dui, Lake
Other Titles: The Symbol of Advance and Arrival, Nearing, Overseeing, Condescension, Getting Ahead, Promotion, Conduct, Drawing Near, Becoming Great, The Forest, Advance, Advancing.
English Translations & Interpretations
The Judgement
Wilhelm/Baynes: Approach has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. When the eighth month comes, there will be misfortune.
Legge: Approach means successful progress through firm correctness. In the eighth month there will be evil.
Blofeld: Approach.Sublime success! Righteous persistence brings reward. However, when the eighth month is reached, misfortune will befall. [The eighth moon of the lunar calendar corresponds approximately to September.]
Liu: Approach. Great Success. It is of benefit to continue. When the eighth month arrives, then there will be misfortune.
Shaughnessy: The Forest: Prime receipt; beneficial to determine; arriving at the eighth month there is inauspiciousness.
Cleary (1): Overseeing is creative and developmental, beneficial if correct. In the eighth month there is misfortune.
Cleary (2): Overseeing is very successful, beneficial if correct. If you go on until the eighth month, there will be misfortune. [If you ride on the momentum of the time and do not know to turn back, at a certain point deterioration will inevitably set in, after flourishing has reached its climax, and there will surely be misfortune.]
Wu: Condescension is great, pervasive, and persevering, etc. [Condescension as used in several judgments has two meanings: to condescend (or to look down from a higher position) and to press forward with authority.]
Hua-Ching Ni: Advance. It is beneficial to go forward with a positive attitude, but be mindful of the cyclical nature of things.
The Image
Wilhelm/Baynes: The earth above the lake: the image of Approach. Thus the superior man is inexhaustible in his will to teach, and without limits in his tolerance and protection of the people.
Legge: The earth over a marsh -- the image of Approach. The superior man is inexhaustible in his instruction and unflagging in his nourishing support of the people.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes land rising above a marsh. The Superior Man's teaching and his affection for his juniors are inexhaustible. Nothing hinders him in his care for the people. [The lower component trigram suggests the nourishment which the Superior Man gives joyfully to others. The upper trigram symbolizes the great bulk of those who benefit.]
Liu: The earth above the lake symbolizes Approach. The superior man's will for instruction has no limit. He is boundless in his support and protection of the people.
Cleary: Above the lake there is earth, overseeing. Superior people use inexhaustibility of education and thought to embrace and protect the people without bound.
Wu: There is ground above the marsh; this is Condescension. Thus the jun zi realizes that there is no limit to the ideas of education and there is no boundary in the protection of people.
Line 1
初九: 咸臨, 貞吉.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Joint approach. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Legge: The first line, dynamic, shows its subject advancing in company with the subject of the second line. Through his firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Blofeld: All approach -- righteous persistence will bring good fortune! [All approach can be taken to mean that all things desirable are converging upon us.]
Liu: Approach with sincerity. To continue brings good fortune.
Shaughnessy: Prohibited forest; determination is auspicious.
Cleary: Sensitive overseeing leads to good results when correct.
Wu: Pressing forward with a companion will be auspicious.
Hua-Ching Ni: Advance impartially. One should start in this manner and continue in this direction. Good Fortune.
Line 2
九二: 咸臨, 吉, 无不利．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Joint approach. Good fortune. Everything furthers.
Legge: The second line, dynamic, shows its subject advancing in company with the subject of the first line. There will be good fortune; advancing will be in every way advantageous.
Blofeld: All approach -- good fortune! Nothing is unfavorable. [All approach can be taken to mean that all things desirable are converging upon us.]
Liu: To approach with sincerity brings good fortune. It is beneficial for everything.
Shaughnessy: Prohibited forest; auspicious; there is nothing not beneficial.
Cleary: Sensitive overseeing is good, beneficial all around. [The second yang is also in the momentum of gradually increasing strength, but at this point it is best to keep still and not ride on the momentum to try to advance; then it will be good and beneficial all around.]
Wu: Pressing forward with a companion will be auspicious. Everything will be advantageous.
Hua-Ching Ni: Impartial advance without prejudice continues…
Line 3
六三: 甘臨, 无攸利; 既憂之, 无咎．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Comfortable approach. Nothing that would further. If one is induced to grieve over it, one becomes free of blame.
Legge: The third line, magnetic, shows one well pleased indeed to advance, but whose action will be in no way advantageous. If she becomes anxious about it however, there will be no error.
Blofeld: A willing approach, but there is nowhere towards which it would be advantageous to set out. Feeling regret on that account involves no error.
Liu: Cheerful approach does not benefit further. If one fears regret, no blame.
Shaughnessy: Sweet forest; there is no place beneficial; having been saddened by it, there is no trouble.
Cleary (1): Presumptuous overseeing is of no benefit. If one is troubled over this, there is no blame.
Cleary (2): … but if you trouble over it, there will be no blame.
Wu: Condescending for flaunting purposes has nothing to gain. If he is concerned of his behavior, he will make no error.
Hua-Ching Ni: Easy advancement. If one abuses one’s position, there will be trouble in the long run. If this tendency is corrected immediately, there will be no blame.
Line 4
六四: 至臨, 无咎．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Complete approach. No blame.
Legge: The fourth line, magnetic, shows one advancing in the highest mode. There will be no error.
Blofeld: A perfect approach -- no error!
Liu: Complete approach brings no blame.
Shaughnessy: Arriving at the forest; there is no trouble.
Cleary (1): Consummate overseeing is blameless. [Being weak yet preserving rectitude, refining oneself and mastering the mind, thereby awaiting the newborn positive energy, is called consummate overseeing. Watching over the quintessential, when the great medicine appears one naturally does not make the mistake of missing it.]
Cleary (2): Consummate overseeing is impeccable. [In Buddhist terms, this represents using correct concentration corresponding to correct insight.]
Wu: Condescending at the right place is without blame.
Hua-Ching Ni: Correct advancement. No fault.
Line 5
六五: 知臨, 大君之宜, 吉．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Wise approach. This is right for a great prince. Good fortune.
Legge: The fifth line, magnetic, shows the advance of wisdom, such as befits the great ruler. There will be good fortune.
Blofeld: A wise approach suited to a great prince -- good fortune.
Liu: To approach with wisdom is appropriate for a great duke. Good fortune.
Shaughnessy: Knowing the forest; the great lord's propriety is auspicious.
Cleary: Knowing overseeing, appropriate for a great leader, bodes well.
Wu: Condescending with wisdom befits a great king. There will be good fortune.
Hua-Ching Ni: Wise advancement. This is how the great should proceed.
Line 6
上六: 敦臨, 吉, 无咎．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Greathearted approach. Good fortune. No blame.
Legge: The sixth line, magnetic, shows the advance of honesty and generosity. There will be good fortune, and no error.
Blofeld: A magnanimous approach -- good fortune, no error.
Liu: Benevolent approach brings good fortune. No blame.
Shaughnessy: Thick forest; auspicious; there is no trouble.
Cleary: Attentive overseeing is good and blameless.
Wu: Condescending with honesty is auspicious, etc.
Hua-Ching Ni: Sincere advancing. Good Fortune. No blame.
Notes
For an in-depth glossary of I Ching, click here.
Hexagram 19 signifies the start of new growth and power. Opportunities will arrive, and success is certain. But you must make the most of it as it does not last forever. You have great influence now and must make sure you take care of those around you.
The image of this hexagram is of “mother” and “daughter,” whereby the daughter is being well taken care of with guidance from the mother.
You should share your knowledge and experience generously as this will benefit everyone and bring great progress.
