Jian 風山漸
A time to advance slowly
Move step by step, carefully. It suits a big connection or lasting result.
What does I Ching hexagram 53 (Development) mean?
A tree on a mountain growing slowly: gradual progress. Take things in order and you will succeed.
- Development in love
- Going step by step is what leads to marriage or lasting results.
- Development at work and with money
- Proceed gradually and in order, and you succeed.
- Advice
- The unhurried step goes farthest.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Development
Auspicious“The woman’s marriage brings good fortune. It is fitting to persevere.”
The Image: A tree on the mountain: gradual development. The noble person lives in worthy virtue and improves customs.
原文 · 女歸吉，利貞。 / 山上有木，漸；君子以居賢德，善俗。
The six lines of hexagram 53
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
No blame“The wild goose gradually approaches the shore; the young one is in danger and there is some talk, but no blame.”
A fragile start with some criticism. It’s fine.
原文 · 鴻漸于干，小子厲，有言，无咎。
Line 2 · 六二
Auspicious“The wild goose gradually approaches the rock; eating and drinking in peace: good fortune.”
You find a stable spot and enjoy it. Lucky.
原文 · 鴻漸于磐，飲食衎衎，吉。
Line 3 · 九三
Misfortune“The wild goose gradually approaches the plateau; the husband goes on a campaign and does not return, the wife is pregnant but does not raise the child: misfortune; it is fitting to defend against robbers.”
You push on too far, too fast. Protect what you have instead.
原文 · 鴻漸于陸，夫征不復，婦孕不育，凶；利禦寇。
Line 4 · 六四
No blame“The wild goose gradually approaches the tree; perhaps it finds a flat branch; no blame.”
A precarious perch, but a flat spot turns up. Be flexible.
原文 · 鴻漸于木，或得其桷，无咎。
Line 5 · 九五
Auspicious“The wild goose gradually approaches the hill; for three years the wife does not conceive; in the end nothing can defeat them: good fortune.”
Obstacles delay you for a long while, but they give way at last.
原文 · 鴻漸于陵，婦三歲不孕，終莫之勝，吉。
Line 6 · 上九
Auspicious“The wild goose gradually approaches the heights; its feathers can be used in ceremony: good fortune.”
You rise to a place where you’re an example for others.
原文 · 鴻漸于陸，其羽可用為儀，吉。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 54. Gui Mei (The Marrying Maiden)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 54. Gui Mei (The Marrying Maiden)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.