Gradual Progress (Jiàn)

Judgment

渐：女归吉，利贞。

Plain Meaning：Gradual progress: the maiden married in due order—fortune; correctness furthers.

Image (Great Commentary)

山上有木，渐；君子以居贤德善俗。

Line Texts

• 初六鸿渐于干，小子厉，有言，无咎。

  The wild goose nears the shore—the young one in danger, blamed in words, yet no fault.

• 六二鸿渐于磐，饮食衎衎，吉。

  The goose on the great rock, feasting in peace—fortune.

• 九三鸿渐于陆，夫征不复，妇孕不育，凶；利御寇。

  The goose on dry land—the man goes and returns not, the wife conceives but does not bear; defend, do not venture.

• 六四鸿渐于木，或得其桷，无咎。

  The goose in the tree, finding a flat branch—no blame.

• 九五鸿渐于陵，妇三岁不孕，终莫之胜，吉。

  The goose on the summit—three years barren, yet nothing prevails against the right; fortune at last.

• 上九鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪，吉。

  The goose soars the heights, its feathers fit for the sacred dance—fortune.

Symbolism

A tree growing on the mountain, geese advancing in order: step-by-step progress.

Life Lesson

Advance in proper order, securing each step before the next.

Modern Application

In marriage and career, respect process and pace—skipping steps breeds trouble.

Words of Caution

Advance out of order and there may be no way back.