需 → 漸
Hexagram 5: Waiting → Hexagram 53: Development
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 6).
Line 1
初九 需于郊。利用恆。无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
Line 2
九二 需于沙。小有言。終吉。
Nine in the second place means: Waiting on the sand. There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.
Line 6
上六 入于穴。有不速之客三人來。敬之終吉。
Six at the top means: One falls into the pit. Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
冠帶南遊，與福喜逢。期於嘉貞，拜為公卿。
Capped and sashed, traveling south; meeting blessing and joy along the way. Expecting auspiciousness at the perfect hour; appointed to the rank of duke and minister.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Clouds above heaven unfold into wind upon the mountain — Development's gradual, stately advance like the wild goose ascending. Donning cap and sash, one journeys south, meeting good fortune along the way. 'Destined for auspicious constancy,' one is appointed to the rank of duke or minister. The verse traces a career trajectory from hopeful departure to high office: proper attire signals readiness for officialdom, and the southward journey meets its reward. From Waiting to Development, nourishment becomes the slow, ordered progress of a tree growing on the mountain — each step placed deliberately, each stage completed before the next begins. The appointment crowns a journey of patient, graduated ascent.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store