
晋 Jìn Forward progress (Gain ground) [hexagram 35]








Fire over Earth

Lunar month: 2 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
The Descision
Forward progress. The young leader is given numerous horses; three times a day an audience is granted.
Forward progress. At dawn the submissive cling to the advancing brightness due to the weakness above. So it is that ‘The young leader is given numerous horses. Three times a day an audience is granted.’
晋: 康侯用锡马蕃庶, 昼日三接. Jìn: kāng hóu yòng xī mǎ fán shù, zhòu rì sān jiē.
彖传: 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. 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.
The Image
The fiery sun appearing above earth makes ‘Forward Progress’, therefore the wise will naturally cultivate virtue and brilliance.
象传: 明出地上, 晋; 君子以自昭明德. Xiàng zhuàn: Míng chū dì shang, jìn; jūn zǐ yǐ zì zhāo míng dé.









Wishing to proceed but holding back. If remain steadfast all will be well. If lack confidence, remain calm and tolerant – no blame.
‘Wishing to proceed but holding back’ – all alone, seeking the right way. ‘Remain calm and tolerant – no blame’ – yet to receive orders.
初六: 晋如, 摧如, 贞吉. 罔孚, 裕无咎. Chū liù: jìn rú, cuī rú, zhēn jí. wǎng fú, yù wú jiù.
象传: 晋如, 摧如; 独行正也. 裕无咎; 未受命也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jìn rú, cuī rú; dú xíng zhèng yě. yù wú jiù; wèi shòu mìng yě.









Wishing to proceed but anxious. If steadfast all will be well. Receive a grandmother’s blessing.
‘Receive a grandmother’s blessing’ – as this the middle and appropriate position.
六二: 晋如, 愁如, 贞吉. 受兹介福, 于其王母. Liù èr: jìn rú, chóu rú, zhēn jí. shòu zī jiè fú, yú qí wáng mǔ.
象传: 受玆介福, 以中正也. Xiàng zhuàn: Shòu zī jiè fú, yǐ zhōng zhèng yě.









All around agree. Regrets disappear.
‘All around agree’ – the shared aim is to advance.
六三: 众允, 悔亡. Liù sān: zhòng yǔn, huǐ wáng.
象传: 众允之, 志上行也. Xiàng zhuàn: Zhòng yǔn zhī, zhì shàng xíng yě.









Advancing forward but like a rat; to persist is perilous.
‘Advancing forward but like a rat; to persist is perilous’ – this is not an appropriate position.
九四: 晋如硕鼠, 贞厉. Jiǔ sì: jìn rú shuò shǔ, zhēn lì.
象传: 硕鼠贞厉, 位不当也. Xiàng zhuàn: Shuò shǔ zhēn lì, wèi bù dàng yě.









Regrets go away. Win or lose should not be taken to heart. Any progress will be fortunate and advantageous.
‘Win or lose should not be taken to heart.’ – any progress should be congratulated.
六五: 悔亡, 失得勿恤, 往吉, 无不利. Liù wǔ: huǐ wáng, shī dé wù xù, wǎng jí, wú bù lì.
象传: 失得勿恤, 往有庆也. Xiàng zhuàn: Shī dé wù xù, wǎng yǒu qìng yě.









Moving forward parading antlers but only to admonish neighbors. There is peril but eventually good fortune, however even if steadfast there will be regret.
‘Moving forward parading antlers but only to admonish neighbors’ – the action is not very astute.
上九: 晋其角, 维用伐邑, 厉吉无咎, 贞吝. Shàng jiǔ: jìn qí jiǎo, wéi yòng fá yì, lì jí wú jiù, zhēn lìn.
象传: 维用伐邑, 道未光也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wéi yòng fá yì, dào wèi guāng yě.
The full set of 64 English translations is available in our new book 'Book of Changes - Deciphered' ➚.