Hexagram 35 · 晋 · Jìn
Progress
- Element:
- Fire over Earth
- Key themes:
- progress, advancement, growth, opportunity, determination
Image
Fire above the earth, symbolizing progress and advancement.
Overall message
Hexagram 35 represents the concept of progress and advancement. It emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities, staying determined, and overcoming obstacles. Success comes from steady progress and focused efforts.
Embrace opportunities for progress and growth. Act with determination and focus. Success comes from steady advancement and seizing opportunities.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. In Žin we see a prince who secures the tranquillity (of the people) presented on that account with numerous horses (by the king), and three times in a day received at interviews.
Image. (The trigram representing) the earth and that for the bright (sun) coming forth above it form Žin. The superior man, according to this, gives himself to make more brilliant his bright virtue.
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · Completion of Progress
The period of progress is complete. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.
Reflect on the experience and learn from it. Prepare for future advancements.
Line 5 · Leadership in Progress
Strong leadership enhances progress and advancement.
Lead with determination and vision. Your leadership will inspire progress.
Line 4 · Seizing Opportunities
Opportunities for progress are present. Seize them with confidence.
Act with confidence and seize opportunities. Your progress will accelerate.
Line 3 · Overcoming Obstacles
Obstacles may arise, but they can be overcome with persistence.
Stay persistent and resilient. Overcome obstacles with determination.
Line 2 · Steady Advancement
Progress is steady but requires focus and determination.
Stay focused and determined. Steady efforts will lead to success.
Line 1 · Initial Progress
The beginning of a period of progress. Be open to new opportunities.
Welcome new opportunities. Start with a positive and determined attitude.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 5 · 需 · Xū. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.
Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 39 · 蹇 · Jiǎn. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 21 · 噬嗑 · Shì Kē
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 64 · 未济 · Wèi Jì
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 56 · 旅 · Lǚ
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 23 · 剥 · Bō
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 12 · 否 · Pǐ
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 16 · 豫 · Yù