Hexagram 53Upper Xun · WindLower Gen · Mountain

Jian · Gradual Progress

渐卦 · 风山渐

Step by step
Patience
Steady growth
Lasting results

The Judgment

Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

女归吉，利贞。

The Image

A tree on the mountain: gradual progress. The noble one, in the same way, abides in virtue and improves the customs of the people.

山上有木，渐。君子以居贤德善俗。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

Things are moving forward one step at a time, like a tree slowly growing taller on a mountain, or wild geese flying in formation. Jian is a symbol of gradual progress, often used as an image of the stages of a marriage: every step has its own rhythm and cannot be rushed.

Where to put your effort

Respect the process and follow the steps; do not try to skip the necessary stages. In a stable environment, cultivate your character and your influence. The same goes for love, career and study: go a little slower, but make every step solid, and the result will be steadier and more lasting.

Four areas of life

Career: Your luck is turning; success is within reach.
Wealth: Profit comes gradually; do plenty of good.
Family: A home for the noble; a virtuous partner.
Health: Live peacefully and recuperate.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Six at the beginningThe first line, divided, 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.Moving

初六：鸿渐于干，小子厉。有言，无咎。

Image：The danger to the young one: by rights there is no blame.

Career: Early good luck; be patient.
Wealth: There is a prior agreement; beware of petty people.
Family: Nothing serious yet; an older woman and younger man.
Health: Adults are fine; take the children to a doctor.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.Moving

六二：鸿渐于磐，饮食衎衎，吉。

Image：Eating and drinking in peace and joy: not eating without earning it.

Career: Honoured guests at ease; fame and profit together.
Wealth: Growing daily, steady as a rock.
Family: Living together happily; growing old together.
Health: A condition from eating too much.

Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows them 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 symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.Moving

九三：鸿渐于陆，夫征不复，妇孕不育，凶。利御寇。

Image：The husband goes off and does not return: leaving the flock in shame. The wife conceives but does not give birth: losing the way. Favourable to fend off robbers: protecting one another by yielding.

Career: Your luck is off; guard against misfortune.
Wealth: Profit is hard to come by; guard against thieves.
Family: Unfavourable for childbirth; guard against separation.
Health: Childbirth may be risky for mother and child.

Six in the fourth placeThe fourth line, divided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.Moving

六四：鸿渐于木，或得其桷，无咎。

Image：Perhaps it finds a flat branch: yielding and gentle.

Career: Make yourself at home wherever you are and avoid blame.
Wealth: Very thin margins; breaking even is enough.
Family: Possibly living alone.
Health: Too much liver heat.

Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, 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.Moving

九五：鸿渐于陵，妇三岁不孕，终莫之胜，吉。

Image：In the end nothing can overcome it, good fortune: the wish is fulfilled.

Career: Balanced luck; success within three years.
Wealth: Average for now; big gains in three years.
Family: A settled home; children come a little late.
Health: Recovery within three years.

Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights (beyond). Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.Moving

上九：鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪，吉。

Image：Its feathers can be used in the dance, good fortune: order must not be disturbed.

Career: A great run of luck; you can make your mark on the world.
Wealth: Fine goods at a high price; profit follows naturally.
Family: Splendid to see; an auspicious marriage.
Health: Healthy and lively.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

Free during beta

Bring your own question to the AI

The classics speak in general terms; your situation is specific. Bring the question on your mind, cast a Plum Blossom Divination reading, and let the AI help you think it through.

Ask DeepHeart free →