 | Gradual Progress | |
| Upper Trigram: | Sun, Gentle Penetration, Mildness, Wind, Wood | |
| Lower Trigram: | Ken, Inaction, a Mountain | |
| Governing Rulers: | Six in the second place Nine in the fifth place | |
The Image
On top of the mountain stands a tree: the image of Chien. The superior man, in accordance with this, attains to maintain his extraordinary virtue, to make the manners of the people good.
Miscellaneous Signs
In Chien we see a bride who will delay, until the bridegroom takes his way.
The Judgement
Chien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune attending it. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
Commentary
The advantage indicated by Chien is like the marrying of a young lady which is attended by good fortune. The lines as they advance get into their correct places: this indicates the achievements of a successful progress. The advance is made according to correctness: the subject of the hexagram might rectify his country. Among the places we see the strong line in the centre (the fifth place).
In the attributes of inaction and flexible penetration we have the assurance of an onward movement that is inexhaustible.
The advantage indicated by Chien is like the marrying of a young lady which is attended by good fortune. The lines as they advance get into their correct places: this indicates the achievements of a successful progress. The advance is made according to correctness: the subject of the hexagram might rectify his country. Among the places we see the strong line in the centre (the fifth place).
In the attributes of inaction and flexible penetration we have the assurance of an onward movement that is inexhaustible.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
Showing the wild geese gradually appoaching the shore. A young officer, in similar circumstances, will find himself in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.
'The danger in which the small officer finds himself, is owing to no fault of his in the matter of what is right.
Six in the second placeShowing the wild geese gradually appoaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
'They eat and drink joyfully and at ease': but not without having earned their food.
Nine in the third placeShowing the wild geese gradually advanced to the dry plains. A husband goes on an expedition from which he does not return. A wife is pregnant but will not give birth to her child. There will be evil. It might be advantageous to resist plunderers.
'A husband goes and does not return': he separates himself from his comrades.
'A wife is pregnant but will not give birth to her child': she has failed in her course.
'It might be advantageous to resist plunderers': men would thereby preserve one another.
Six in the fourth place'A wife is pregnant but will not give birth to her child': she has failed in her course.
'It might be advantageous to resist plunderers': men would thereby preserve one another.
Showing the wild geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.
'They may light on the flat branches': there is docility in the line, going on to flexible penetration.
Nine in the fifth placeShowing the wild geese gradually advanced to the high mound. A wife for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
'In the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune': the subject of the line will get his desire.
Top-most nineShowing the wild geese gradually advanced to the large heights beyond. Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.
'Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune': the subject's object and character cannot be disturbed.
 1. Ch'ien Creative Principle |  2. K'un Passive Principle |  3. Chun Initial Difficulties |  4. Meng Youthful Inexperience |  5. Hsü Delay |  6. Sung Conflict |  7. Shih The Army |  8. Pi Seeking Unity |  9. Hsiao Ch'u Minor Restraint |  10. Lü Treading carefully |  11. T'ai Peace |  12. P'i Stagnation |  13. T'ung Jen Companionship |  14. Ta Yu Great Possessions |  15. Ch'ien Modesty |  16. Yü Enthusiasm |  17. Sui Allegiance |  18. Ku Arresting Decay |  19. Lin Approaching |  20. Kuan Contemplation |  21. Shih Ho Biting through |  22. Pi Grace |  23. Po Disintegration |  24. Fu The Turning Point |  25. Wu Wang Innocence |  26. Ta Ch'u Restraining Force |  27. I Nourishment |  28. Ta Kuo Excess |  29. K'an The Abyss |  30. Li Clinging Brightness |  31. Hsieh Influence |  32. Heng Endurance |  33. Tun Withdrawal |  34. Ta Chuang Strength of Greatness |  35. Chin Progress |  36. Ming I Sinking Light |  37. Chia Jen The Family |  38. K'uei Opposition |  39. Chien Obstacles |  40. Hsieh Deliverance |  41. Sun Decrease |  42. I Increase |  43. Kuai Resolution |  44. Kou Coming on |  45. Ts'ui Congregation |  46. Sheng Moving upward |  47. K'un Exhaustion |  48. Ching The Well |  49. Ko Revolution |  50. Ting The Cauldron |  51. Chen Thunderclap |  52. Ken Inaction | 53. Chien Gradual Progress |  54. Kuei Mei Marriageable Maiden |  55. Feng Abundance |  56. Lü The Wanderer |  57. Sun Gentle Penetration |  58. Tui Joy |  59. Huan Dispersal |  60. Chien Restraint |  61. Cung Fu Inner Truth |  62. Hsiao Kuo Small Excess |  63. Chi Chi Completion and After |  64. Wei Chi Before Completion |