晉

Hexagram 35 · 晉

Upper trigram: 離 · Lower trigram: 坤

Jin (Progress): the hexagram of emerging recognition. Develop visible merit, accept support, and keep advancement grounded in useful work.

The image

Fire rises above earth, like daylight becoming visible over the horizon. Receptiveness below supports brightness above. Jin means advance or progress. The image concerns merit coming into view and the conduct needed when recognition begins to grow.

Judgment

康侯用錫馬蕃庶，晝日三接。

The lord who brings security is granted horses in great numbers and is received three times in one day.

The commentary describes yielding conduct advancing toward a great brightness. A dependable coordinator may receive wider trust when useful work becomes visible, though recognition remains something to handle responsibly rather than expect on demand.

Great Image

明出地上，晉；君子以自昭明德。

Brightness emerges above the earth: Progress. The exemplary person accordingly makes bright virtue shine within the self.

Advancement rests on the quality of one's conduct. A professional preparing for a public role can improve the actual work instead of focusing only on how to appear successful.

Line texts

  1. Line 1 · 初六

    晉如，摧如，貞吉。罔孚，裕无咎。

    Advancing, then checked. Constancy brings good fortune. Without being trusted, remain generous; no blame.

    Six in the first place is yin beginning without an established mandate. The Small Image values independent uprightness, like a new employee doing good work patiently before colleagues know enough to trust them.

  2. Line 2 · 六二

    晉如，愁如，貞吉。受茲介福，于其王母。

    Advancing with sorrow. Constancy brings good fortune. One receives this great blessing from the royal grandmother.

    Six in the second place is central and correctly placed yin despite uncertainty. The Small Image credits that balance, like a junior worker receiving encouragement from an experienced sponsor while progress still feels slow.

  3. Line 3 · 六三

    眾允，悔亡。

    The multitude trusts. Regret disappears.

    Six in the third place is yin supported by shared confidence. The Small Image directs the group's intention upward, like coworkers agreeing to back a constructive proposal after seeing its practical value.

  4. Line 4 · 九四

    晉如鼫鼠，貞厲。

    Advancing like a large field rat. Constancy carries danger.

    Nine in the fourth place is yang occupying an unsuitable position with grasping energy. The Small Image emphasizes that mismatch, like seeking influence through accumulated favors instead of openly useful contributions.

  5. Line 5 · 六五

    悔亡，失得勿恤，往吉无不利。

    Regret disappears. Do not fret over loss and gain. Going forward brings good fortune; nothing is unfavorable.

    Six in the fifth place is central yin able to lead without constant private calculation. The Small Image sees benefit in advancing, like a manager choosing a sound course without measuring every decision against personal credit.

  6. Line 6 · 上九

    晉其角，維用伐邑，厲吉无咎，貞吝。

    Advancing with the horns. Use this only to attack one's own town. Danger, yet good fortune and no blame. Persisting brings humiliation.

    Nine at the top is yang whose advance has become forceful. The Small Image finds its way not fully bright, like using decisive authority to correct internal disorder but stopping before severity becomes habitual.

When asking about

Career

Useful work may be becoming more visible. Accept recognition while keeping attention on competence and cooperation.

Love

Closeness often grows through repeated signs of reliability. Let appreciation develop without tallying every gain and loss.

Money

Improved circumstances can support careful planning. Avoid spending mainly to display advancement.

Home

Encouragement can help family members develop confidence. Recognize effort rather than comparing everyone publicly.

Study

Visible progress often follows sustained groundwork. Use feedback as guidance rather than a measure of personal worth.

Health

A busier phase benefits from keeping rest in the schedule. See a doctor for any health concern.

Advice

Make your work worthy of the attention it receives. Advance patiently, welcome trustworthy support, and avoid turning recognition into grasping ambition.

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Reference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.