漸 → 節
Hexagram 53: Development → Hexagram 60: Limitation
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 6).
Line 1
初六 鴻漸于干。小子厲有言。無咎。
Six at the beginning means: The wild goose gradually draws near the shore. The young son is in danger. There is talk. No blame.
Line 2
六二 鴻漸于磐。飲食衎衎。吉。
Six in the second place means: The wild goose gradually draws near the cliff. Eating and drinking in peace and concord. Good fortune.
Line 3
九三 鴻漸于陸。夫征不復。婦孕不育。凶。利禦寇。
Nine in the third place means: 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.
Line 6
上九 鴻漸于陸。其羽可用為儀。吉。
Nine at the top means: The wild goose gradually draws near the clouds heights. Its feathers can be used for the sacred dance. Good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
節情省慾，賦歛有度。家給人足，利以富貴。
Restraining passions, reducing desires; taxation levied with measure. Each household provided, every person sufficient; profit leads to wealth and honor.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind over mountain meets water above lake: gradual development finds its natural Limitation. Restraining emotions and reducing desires; taxation and levies observe proper measure. Every household has enough, every person is satisfied; this is the path to wealth and honor. The verse celebrates the golden mean: a society that prospers not through expansion but through discipline. From Development to Limitation, water sits atop the lake, establishing a natural boundary. The gentleman sets standards and deliberates on conduct. Gradual accumulation, paired with voluntary restraint, produces sustainable abundance. The verse's 'wealth and honor through sufficiency' captures Limitation's insight: prosperity comes not from getting more but from wanting less. Gradual development, properly bounded, becomes permanent prosperity.
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