Jìn Rapid advance Gain ground [hexagram 35]

Yang line Yin - controlling line Yang line Yin line Yin line Yin line

Rise
Fire over
Earth
Fire Fire element

Water Heaven
[5] Halting; Needing
Opposite
Earth Fire
Míng yí [36] Overshadow; Darkening
Inverse
Water Mountain
Jiǎn [39] Obstruction; Hardship
Mutual

Lunar month: 2 ; Host or Controlling line : 5
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晋: 康蕃庶, 昼接. Jìn: kāng hóu yòng xī mǎ fán shù, zhòu rì sān jiē.

In Jin we see a prince who secures the tranquility (of the people) presented on that account with numerous horses (by the king), and three times in a day received at interviews.

: 晋, . , , . 蕃庶, 昼. Tuàn zhuàn: Jìn, jìn yě. míng chū dì shang, shùn ér lì hū dà míng, róu jìn ér shàng xíng. shì yǐ kāng hóu yòng xī mǎ fán shù, zhòu rì sān jiē yě.

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 tranquility (of the people), presented on that account with numerous horses (by the king), and three times in a day received at interviews.'

: , 晋; . Xiàng zhuàn: Míng chū dì shang, jìn; jūn zǐ yǐ zì zhāo míng dé.

(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.

young yang young yin young yang young yin young yin changing yin
I Ching transform
Fire
Wood
噬嗑 Shì kè [21] Gnawing; Eradicating
Change
: 晋, 摧, . 罔, 裕. Chū liù: jìn rú, cuī rú, zhēn jí. wǎng fú, yù wú jiù.

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.

: 晋, 摧; . 裕; . Xiàng zhuàn: Jìn rú, cuī rú; dú xíng zhèng yě. yù wú jiù; wèi shòu mìng yě.

‘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.

young yang young yin young yang young yin changing yin young yin
I Ching transform
Fire
Water
Wèi jì [64] Unfinished; Almost complete
Change
: 晋, 愁, . 兹介, . Liù èr: jìn rú, chóu rú, zhēn jí. shòu zī jiè fú, yú qí wáng mǔ.

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.

: 玆介, . Xiàng zhuàn: Shòu zī jiè fú, yǐ zhōng zhèng yě.

‘He will receive this great blessing:’ - for he is in the central place and the correct position for him.

young yang young yin young yang changing yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Fire
Mountain
[56] Wandering; Journeying
Change
: 允, . Liù sān: zhòng yǔn, huǐ wáng.

The third ‘six’, divided, shows its subject trusted by all (around him). All occasion for repentance will disappear.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Zhòng yǔn zhī, zhì shàng xíng yě.

‘All (around) trust him:’ - their (common) aim is to move upwards and act.

young yang young yin changing yang young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Mountain
Earth
[23] Dispersion; Peeling off
Change
: 晋硕鼠, . Jiǔ sì: jìn rú shuò shǔ, zhēn lì.

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.

: 硕鼠, . Xiàng zhuàn: Shuò shǔ zhēn lì, wèi bù dàng yě.

‘(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.

young yang changing yin young yang young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Heaven
Earth
[12] Stagnation; Hindrance
Change
: , 恤, , . Liù wǔ: huǐ wáng, shī dé wù xù, wǎng jí, wú bù lì.

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.

: 恤, . Xiàng zhuàn: Shī dé wù xù, wǎng yǒu qìng yě.

‘Let him not concern himself whether he fails or succeeds:’ - his movement in advance will afford ground for congratulation.

changing yang young yin young yang young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Wood
Earth
[16] Inspiration; Delight
Change
: 晋, , , 吝. Shàng jiǔ: jìn qí jiǎo, wéi yòng fá yì, lì jí wú jiù, zhēn lìn.

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.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Wéi yòng fá yì, dào wèi guāng yě.

‘He uses his horns only to punish (the rebellious people of) his city:’ - his course of procedure is not yet brilliant.

This translation of the YiJing classic text uses the original Chinese including the Xiàng zhuàn commentary converted to modern simplified characters and pinyin. The English translation is based on William Legge (1899) which is now out of copyright. We have changed some wording and converted to American spelling. We hope to replace this with a more modern translation.

See also