I Ching Hexagram 53 - Gradual Progress
Description and interpretations of I Ching (Yijing) hexagram 53 "Gradual Progress"
漸 - Jiàn
Lôi Trạch Quy Muội
Gradual Progress
Upper (Outer) Trigram: ☴ Xun, Wind
Lower (Inner) Trigram: ☶ Gen, Mountain
Other Titles: Development, The Symbol of Progressive Advance, Gradual Development, Infiltrating, Advancing, Growth, Developing, Gradualness, Dialectical Progression, Step by Step
English Translations & Interpretations
The Judgement
Wilhelm/Baynes: Development. The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune. Perseverance furthers.
Legge: Gradual Progress shows the good fortune attending the marriage of a young lady. Firm correctness brings advantage.
Blofeld: Gradual Progress. The marriage of a maiden brings good fortune. Persistence in a righteous course brings reward.
Liu: Gradual Development. The marriage of a girl -- Good Fortune. It benefits to continue.
Shaughnessy: Advancing: For the maiden to return is auspicious; beneficial to determine.
Cleary: Gradual Progress in a woman’s marriage is auspicious. It is beneficial to be chaste.
Wu: Gradualness indicates that it is auspicious for a woman to get married and it is advantageous for her to be persevering.
The Image
Wilhelm/Baynes: On the mountain, a tree: the image of Development. Thus the superior man abides in dignity and virtue, in order to improve the mores.
Legge: A tree on the mountain -- the image of Gradual Progress. The superior man attains and nourishes his extraordinary virtue to improve the manners of the people.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes a tree upon a mountain. The Superior Man, abiding in holiness and virtue, inclines the people towards goodness.
Liu: A tree on the mountain symbolizes Gradual Development. The superior man, in maintaining his virtue, improves society's customs.
Cleary (1): There are trees on the mountain, growing gradually. Thus do superior people abide in sagacity and improve customs.
Cleary (2): …Developed people improve customs by living wisely and virtuously.
Wu: There are trees on the mountain; this is Gradualness. The jun zi chooses to live in the neighborhood known for its high moral standards and exemplary custom.
Line 1
初六: 鴻漸于干, 小子厲, 有言, 无咎．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wild goose gradually draws near the shore. The young son is in danger. There is talk. No blame.
Legge: The first line, magnetic, 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.
Blofeld: The wild goose moves gradually towards the river bank. The younger son is in trouble. There is talk, but no error.
Liu: The wild goose gradually approaches the shore. The boy is in danger. There is gossip. No blame. [This line indicates difficulty, but you will ultimately be able to achieve your undertaking.]
Shaughnessy: The wild goose advances to the depths; for the little son dangerous; there are words; there is no trouble.
Cleary (1): Geese gradually proceed on the shoreline. The small ones are in danger; there is criticism, no fault.
Cleary (2): Geese gradually proceed to the shoreline. If humble people are diligent and speak up, there is no blame.
Wu: The wild goose flies in gradually to rest by the riverbank. The little fellow is in jeopardy and he is being talked about, but without fault.
Line 2
六二: 鴻漸于磐, 飲食衎衎, 吉．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wild goose gradually draws near the cliff. Eating and drinking in peace and concord. Good fortune.
Legge: The second line, magnetic, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
Blofeld: The wild goose moves gradually towards the rock. Eating and drinking happily -- good fortune.
Liu: The wild goose gradually approaches a big rock. It eats and drinks joyfully. Good fortune.
Shaughnessy: The wild goose advances to the slope: wine and food so overflowing; auspicious.
Cleary (1): Geese gradually proceed on boulders; they eat and drink happily. Good fortune.
Cleary (2): Geese gradually proceed onto a boulder; etc. This is auspicious.
Wu: The wild goose flies in gradually to rest on a big rock. There is joy in eating and drinking. Auspicious.
Line 3
九三: 鴻漸于陸, 夫征不復, 婦孕不育, 凶. 利禦寇．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau. The man goes forth and does not return. The woman carries a child but does not bring it forth. Misfortune. It furthers one to fight off robbers.
Legge: The third line, dynamic, shows the geese 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 symbolized might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.
Blofeld: The wild goose moves gradually towards the dry land. The husband goes forth and does not return. The wife is pregnant, but the child's birth is delayed -- misfortune! This is an auspicious time for chastising evil-doers.
Liu: The wild goose gradually approaches the highland. The man sets out and does not return. The woman is pregnant, but does not give birth. Misfortune. It is beneficial to protect oneself from robbers. [Fearfulness and disharmony are indicated by this line.]
Shaughnessy: The wild goose advances to the land; The husband campaigns but does not return, the wife is pregnant but does not give birth; inauspicious; beneficial to have that which robs.
Cleary (1): Geese gradually proceed on a plateau. The husband who goes on an expedition does not return; the wife who gets pregnant does not raise the child. Misfortune. It is beneficial to defend against brigands. [The misfortune comes about because in the use of strength it is important to stop in the proper place and defend against brigands, not act arbitrarily and become a brigand oneself. This is gradual progress in which one is strong but loses control.]
Cleary (2): Geese gradually proceed onto high ground. Etc. It is beneficial to defend against enemies.
Wu: The wild goose flies in gradually to rest on high ground. The husband joins active military duty, but does not return; the wife is pregnant, but miscarries. Foreboding. Yet it is advantageous to defend against the intruders. [The third nine is overly strong…he wants to go alone and may have gotten lost or been captured.]
Line 4
六四: 鴻漸于木, 或得其桷, 无咎．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wild goose gradually draws near the tree. Perhaps it will find a flat branch. No blame.
Legge: The fourth line, magnetic, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.
Blofeld: The wild goose moves gradually towards a tree and may find a suitable branch on which to perch -- no error!
Liu: The wild goose gradually approaches the tree, seeking a safe branch. No blame. [This is a time of contentment in your personal life, without fear or sadness.]
Shaughnessy: The wild goose advances to the tree: perhaps getting what the robbers rejected; there is no trouble.
Cleary: Geese gradually proceed in the trees, and may reach a level roost. No fault.
Wu: The wild goose flies in gradually to rest in the wood. It may find a flat branch. No error.
Line 5
九五: 鴻漸于陵, 婦三歲不孕．終莫之勝, 吉．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wild goose gradually draws near the summit. For three years the woman has no child. In the end nothing can hinder her. Good fortune.
Legge: The fifth line, dynamic, 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.
Blofeld: The wild goose moves gradually towards the hillock. In the end, the results will be incomparable -- good fortune!
Liu: The wild goose gradually approaches the top of the hill. The woman is not pregnant for three years. In the end, nothing can overcome her. Good fortune. [There will be confusion in the beginning, but understanding later; after overcoming obstacles, things will go smoothly in your life.]
Shaughnessy: The wild goose advances to the mound: the wife for three years does not get pregnant; in the end nothing overcomes it; auspicious.
Cleary (1): Geese gradually proceed onto a mountain top. The wife does not conceive for three years, but in the end nothing defeats her. Good fortune.
Cleary (2): … After all, no one could overcome her. This is auspicious.
Wu: The wild goose flies in gradually to rest on a hill. The woman has not been pregnant for three years, but she finally overcomes her disadvantages. Auspicious.
Line 6
上九: 鴻漸于陸 , 其羽可用為儀, 吉．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wild goose gradually draws near the cloud heights. Its feathers can be used for the sacred dance. Good fortune.
Legge: The sixth line, dynamic, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights beyond. Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.
Blofeld: The wild goose moves gradually towards the mainland. Its feathers can be used for ritual purposes -- good fortune!
Liu: The wild goose gradually approaches the cloudy heights. Its feathers can be used in ritual decoration. Good fortune. [You will carry out a significant undertaking with someone’s help.]
Shaughnessy: The wild goose advances to the land: its feathers can be used to be emblems; auspicious.
Cleary: Geese gradually proceed to level ground; their feathers can be used for ceremonies. Good fortune.
Wu: The wild goose flies gradually into the clouds. Its feathers may be used for decorum. Auspicious.
Notes
For an in-depth glossary of I Ching, click here.
Hexagram 53 is a sign of gradual advancement or progress. This hexagram is a picture of trees growing on a mountain. In order to withstand its exposure to the elements, the tree must remain strong and firmly rooted. Such stability can only be achieved through slow and steady progress.
Hasty action is unwise. Resist the impulse to force your issues. It is important to be patient now and move forward one step at a time. Also establish good relations along the way and that will lead you to success.
