Hexagram 35: Jìn (Progress)
火地晋 · 第 35 卦 · Fire over Earth · 中文版
The Judgment
In Jin 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.
晋：康侯用锡马蕃庶，昼日三接。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
Jin denotes advancing. (In Jin we have) the bright (sun) appearing above the earth; (the symbol of) docile submission cleaving to that of the Great brightness; and the weak line advanced and moving above: - all these things give us the idea of '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.'
彖曰：晋，进也。明出地上，顺而丽乎大明，柔进而上行。是以康侯用锡马蕃庶，昼日三接也。
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) the earth and that for the bright (sun) coming forth above it form Jin. The superior man, according to this, gives himself to make more brilliant his bright virtue.
象曰：明出地上，晋；君子以自昭明德。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first SIX, divided, shows one wishing to advance, and (at the same time) kept back. Let him be firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. If trust be not reposed in him, let him maintain a large and generous mind, and there will be no error.
'He appears wishing to advance, but (at the same time) being kept back:' - all-alone he pursues the correct course. 'Let him maintain a large and generous mind, and there will be no error:' - he has not yet received an official charge.
初六：晋如，摧如，贞吉。罔孚，裕无咎。 象曰：晋如摧如，独行正也。裕无咎，未受命也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second SIX, divided, shows its subject with the appearance of advancing, and yet of being sorrowful. If he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune. He will receive this great blessing from his grandmother.
'He will receive this great blessing:' - for he is in the central place and the correct position for him.
六二：晋如，愁如，贞吉。受兹介福，于其王母。 象曰：受兹介福，以中正也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, shows its subject trusted by all (around him). All occasion for repentance will disappear.
'All (around) trust him:' - their (common) aim is to move upwards and act.
六三：众允，悔亡。 象曰：众允之，志上行也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject with the appearance of advancing, but like a marmot. However firm and correct he may be, the position is one of peril.
'(He advances like) a marmot. However firm and correct he may be, his position is one of peril:' - his place is not that appropriate for him.
九四：晋如鼫鼠，贞厉。 象曰：鼫鼠贞厉，位不当也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth SIX, divided, shows how all occasion for repentance disappears (from its subject). (But) let him not concern himself about whether he shall fail or succeed. To advance will be fortunate, and in every way advantageous.
'Let him not concern himself whether he fails or succeeds:' - his movement in advance will afford ground for congratulation.
六五：悔亡，失得勿恤，往吉无不利。 象曰：失得勿恤，往有庆也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The topmost NINE, undivided, shows one advancing his horns. But he only uses them to punish the (rebellious people of his own) city. The position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. (Yet) however firm and correct he may be, there will be occasion for regret.
'He uses his horns only to punish (the rebellious people of) his city:' - his course of procedure is not yet brilliant.
上九：晋其角，维用伐邑，厉吉无咎，贞吝。 象曰：维用伐邑，道未光也。 · 单爻页
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.