Hexagram 35: Progress → Hexagram 19: Approach

Progress
Fire / Earth
Approach
Earth / Lake
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 4, 6).

Line 1

初六 晉如摧如。貞吉。罔孚。裕无咎。

jìn^expansion
it may seem that v
cuī^ overwhelmed
is to be
zhēnbut persistence
is promising
wǎnguse wits
for trust
and be tolerant
no
jiùblame

Six at the beginning means: Progressing, but turned back. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one meets with no confidence, one should remain calm. No mistake.

Line 2

六二 晉如愁如。貞吉。受茲介福。于其王母。

jìn^ expansion
it may seem that v
chóu^ anxious
is to be
zhēnbut persistence
is promising
shòuaccept
these present
jièboundary
as (if
from
one's (own)
wánggrand-
mother [i.e. graciously and gratefully]

Six in the second place means: Progressing, but in sorrow. Perseverance brings good fortune. Then one obtains great happiness from one's ancestress.

Line 4

九四 晉如鼫鼠。貞厲。

jìnadvancing
just
shíthe squirrelly
shǔrodent
zhēnpersistence
is harsh

Nine in the fourth place means: Progress like a hamster. Perseverance brings danger.

Line 6

上九 晉其角。維用伐邑。厲吉无咎。貞吝。

jìnadvancing
one's
jiǎohorns
wéilimit
yòngthis practice
to subjugate
of the home town
that harsh
is promising
is not
jiùto be blamed
zhēnbut persistence
lìnis embarrassment

Nine at the top means: Making progress with the horns is permissible Only for the purpose of punishing one's own city. To be conscious of danger brings good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings humiliation.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramFire EarthThe Clinging → The Receptive
Lower TrigramEarth LakeThe Receptive → The Joyous

Yilin Verse

羔羊皮弁,君子朝服,輔政扶德,以合萬福。

Lambskin robe and leather cap; the gentleman’s court attire. Assisting governance, upholding virtue; thereby uniting ten thousand blessings.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Fire rises above the earth, and the gentleman dons his lambskin robe and leather cap — the formal court dress of a Zhou minister. Garbed in proper attire, he assists in governance and upholds virtue, gathering all blessings unto the realm. The lambskin cap (皮弁) was the standard investiture garment for ministers attending court; its mention signals legitimate authority exercised through ritual propriety. From Progress to Approach, the transformation is harmonious. The lake rises toward the earth: authority descends gently, like a sovereign approaching his people with teaching and compassion. The properly dressed minister does not seize power; he approaches governance with the same care he gives to dressing for court — every detail a form of respect.

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