Hexagram 35: Progress
Advancement, rapid progress
| Chinese | 晉 (Jìn) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☲ Fire — The Clinging (Fire) |
| Lower trigram | ☷ Earth — The Receptive (Earth) |
| Keywords | progress, advancement, promotion, clarity |
| Opposite | Hexagram 5: Waiting |
| Inverted | Hexagram 36: Darkening of the Light |
What does Hexagram 35 (Progress) mean?
Progress 晉 (Jìn) is hexagram 35 of the I Ching, formed by Fire (The Clinging) over Earth (The Receptive). Its theme is advancement, rapid progress, with key ideas of progress, advancement, promotion, clarity. The Judgment reads: “Progress. The powerful prince is honored with horses in large numbers.”
The Judgment of Progress
Progress. The powerful prince is honored with horses in large numbers.
The Image of Progress
The sun rises over the earth.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 35
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Six at the beginning
“Progressing, but turned back. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one meets with no confidence, one should remain calm. No mistake.”
Initial progress meets resistance; this is normal. Patient perseverance without self-justification maintains the correct course.
Six in the second place
“Progressing, but in sorrow. Perseverance brings good fortune. Then one obtains great happiness from one's ancestress.”
Progress accompanied by grief still leads forward. Fidelity to the source of nourishment and support ultimately brings deep joy.
Six in the third place
“All are in accord. Remorse disappears.”
When the whole group moves together with shared intent, individual regrets dissolve into collective forward motion.
Nine in the fourth place
“Progress like a hamster. Perseverance brings danger.”
Advancing by secretive, hoarding means — taking quietly for oneself rather than openly — is ultimately dangerous however persistent.
Six in the fifth place
“Remorse disappears. Take not gain and loss to heart. Undertakings bring good fortune. Everything serves to further.”
Releasing attachment to personal benefit or setback allows free, effective action. Progress unclouded by self-interest succeeds on every level.
Nine at the top
“Making progress with the horns is permissible only for the purpose of punishing one's own city. To be conscious of danger brings good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings humiliation.”
Aggressive advance is only justified as self-correction, not outward conquest. Awareness of inherent risk is the protection; persisting aggressively beyond correction is shameful.
Will Progress answer your question?
Cast the three coins yourself — the I Ching reading is free, no account needed.
Cast the I Ching →