The 35th Hexagram of the I Ching – Jìn (晋)
Symbolism of the Jìn Hexagram – Fire Over Earth
The Jìn hexagram consists of two trigrams: Lí (离, Fire) above and Kūn (坤, Earth) below.
- Lí (离) represents the Sun, brightness, and illumination.
- Kūn (坤) represents the Earth, the nurturing and receptive force.
The image of Fire (Lí) above and Earth (Kūn) below symbolizes the sun shining down on the earth, illuminating everything and allowing growth and progress. The brightness rises high, and the earth remains receptive and humble, nurturing all life. The energy flows upwards, symbolizing the prosperous development of a career and the flourishing of opportunities.
Jìn follows the Dà Zhuàng (大壮) hexagram, which emphasizes strength and power. The Jìn hexagram indicates the time for progress and advancement. As Zá Guà (杂卦) states, Jìn symbolizes the daytime, where things are illuminated and ready for action.
Interpretation from Duàn Yì Tiānjī (断易天机)
The Jìn hexagram has Lí (Fire) above and Kūn (Earth) below, forming a combination of Qián (乾) Palace, symbolizing movement and transition.
- The word Jìn (晋) reflects advancement, promotion, and moving forward. The image of the Sun shining brightly upon the Earth represents prosperity and harmony, a sign of success.
- The hexagram suggests that the energy is flowing upwards, just as the sun’s light reaches its zenith, and things are ready to grow and develop. Therefore, it indicates a favorable time for action and progress.
Interpretation by Song Dynasty Scholar Shào Yōng (邵雍)
- As the Sun rises, all things advance; rewards are grand, and all plans are successful.
- If you receive this hexagram, it suggests that your fortune is as bright as the rising sun—energy is abundant, and opportunities for success are plentiful. Your efforts will bear fruit, and all endeavors will likely go smoothly.
Interpretation by Taiwanese Scholar Fù Pèiróng (傅佩荣)
- Timing: A new period of good fortune has arrived, and your success will rise steadily.
- Financial prospects: Bright and profitable enterprises are within reach.
- Home: A sunlit and warm home awaits you.
- Health: Self-awareness is key to maintaining well-being.
Traditional Interpretation of the Hexagram
The Jìn hexagram, with Lí (Fire) above and Kūn (Earth) below, represents the Sun shining brightly over the Earth, allowing all things to grow and prosper.
- The great symbol (Dà Xiàng) depicts the Sun rising from the Earth, lighting up everything around it and symbolizing progress and advancement.
- Fortune: This hexagram indicates success in career, fame, and finances, and it signifies promotion or gaining higher status.
- Career: Success is certain, but it is crucial to follow the correct path and rise to challenges with confidence. Take action decisively, avoid hesitation, and push forward, relying on both your own strength and the support of others. Establishing strong interpersonal relationships will also aid your success.
- Business: The market is favorable, with good opportunities for growth and expansion. Although challenges may arise, you will be able to overcome them by adapting to changing circumstances and gaining the support of others. Setbacks are inevitable, but with the right intentions, you can turn potential dangers into opportunities.
- Seeking Fame: Your hard work and dedication have laid the foundation for career success, but you may not yet have the connections to achieve your goals. Do not give up, and be patient. Continue to create opportunities and stay proactive.
- Love and Relationships: The stars are in your favor, and you are likely to experience an ideal outcome. However, avoid being arrogant or overly picky due to your favorable circumstances.
- Decision-making: You are in a phase of continuous progress with minimal obstacles. Gain the trust and support of others, and continue moving forward with integrity. If your intentions are pure and you avoid taking unnecessary risks, success will come.
The Jìn (晋) hexagram is a symbol of growth, prosperity, and advancement. It suggests that now is the time for progress, where efforts will lead to success and favorable conditions. However, it also emphasizes the importance of taking action decisively, avoiding hesitation, and remaining patient when needed. It is a time of positive development in all areas—career, relationships, and personal growth.
Philosophical Meaning of the First Line of the Jìn Hexagram
Line Text: Chū Liù (初六): Jìn rú cuī rú, zhēn jí. Tóng fú, yù wú jiù.
Translation: “Advancing like a crush, but adhering to the right path will bring good fortune. If you stay true and broad-minded, there will be no harm.”
Line Explanation:
- Cuī (摧): Refers to crushing or being impeded.
- Tóng fú (同孚): Fú (孚) refers to faithfulness or trust, and tóng means “together” or “in sync.” So, this suggests trusting and acting with integrity.
- Yù (裕): This refers to abundance, generosity, or tolerance.
- Jiù (咎): Refers to blame or harm.
The message of this line suggests that initial progress may be hindered by obstacles, but adhering to the correct path with steadfastness will lead to eventual success. Even if there is no immediate trust from others, if you remain broad-minded and tolerant, there will be no lasting harm.
Advice for this line:
- Honor your commitments and reputation as they will eventually lead to success.
- Do not give up easily, even if you face setbacks. If you stay faithful and generous, success will come, and your efforts will not be in vain.
- Avoid rash actions or impatience; instead, proceed steadily with integrity and patience.
Changing to the 21st Hexagram (Fire and Thunder)
The changing line moves to Hexagram 21: Fire and Thunder (火雷噬嗑). This hexagram is made up of Lí (离, Fire) above and Zhèn (震, Thunder) below, and it symbolizes forceful action (like biting through a tough object). It represents the need to take decisive, strategic action in the face of challenges. The imagery of biting and chewing suggests a balance of gentle and firm actions (柔刚相济), requiring both strength and adaptability.
Philosophical Meaning of the Second Line of the Jìn Hexagram
Line Text: Liù Èr (六二): Jìn rú chóu rú, zhēn jí; shòu zī jiè fú, yú qí wáng mǔ.
Translation: “Advancing amidst worry brings good fortune; you will receive great blessings from the ‘Mother of the King.'”
Line Explanation:
- Chóu (愁): Refers to worry or anxiety.
- Zī (兹): Means this or here, similar to “hereafter.”
- Jiè (介): Refers to greatness, abundance, or magnanimity (as seen in Shī Xiǎo Yǎ‘s “Shén zhī tīng zhī jiè ěr jǐng fú”).
- Wáng mǔ (王母): The “Mother of the King” refers to the sixth line (Liù wǔ 六五), symbolizing the ruler, or the highest position in this context.
The meaning here suggests that even though you may experience anxiety during your journey of advancement, sticking to the righteous path will ultimately bring good fortune. Additionally, you will receive great blessings from those in high positions (symbolized by the “Mother of the King”, the sixth line).
Advice for this line:
- In times of uncertainty, maintain your integrity, and good fortune will follow.
- The blessings will come when you remain true to your principles and are sincere in your efforts.
- Persevere through difficulties with patience, as success and prosperity will be granted when the time is right.
- Stay humble and allow external support (from influential people or circumstances) to help you flourish.
Changing to the 64th Hexagram (Fire Over Water)
This line transitions to Hexagram 64: Fire and Water (火水未济), a symbol of incomplete work or unfinished tasks. This suggests that although progress is being made, there is still work to do before the goal is fully achieved.
Philosophical Meaning of the Third Line of the Jìn Hexagram
Line Text: Liù Sān (六三): Zhòng yǔn, huǐ wú
Translation: “The masses agree, and regret will be gone.”
Line Explanation:
- Zhòng (众): Refers to the masses or the people.
- Yǔn (允): Means to agree, to accept, or to trust.
This line suggests that once you have earned the approval and trust of the people around you, any feelings of regret or doubt will fade away. Your actions will have the support of others, and this will ensure success.
Advice for this line:
- Seek support from others and gain their trust to help your cause.
- Once you have earned the confidence of those around you, success will follow.
- Do not let regrets or doubts hinder your progress—keep moving forward with confidence.
Changing to the 56th Hexagram (Fire on the Mountain)
The line transitions to Hexagram 56: Fire on the Mountain (火山旅), which symbolizes a journey or travel filled with challenges. It suggests being prepared for the unexpected while moving forward with determination. Just as a traveler must keep going despite obstacles, you must press on and stay focused to reach your destination.
Philosophical Meaning of the Fourth Line of the Jìn Hexagram
Line Text: Jiǔ Sì (九四): Jìn rú shǐ shǔ, zhēn lì.
Translation: “Advancing like a shrew, with caution comes danger.”
Line Explanation:
- Shǐ shǔ (鼫鼠): This refers to a shrew or a type of rodent often associated with a creature that is limited in ability. In the Shuōwén Jiězì (说文解字), it’s described as being able to fly but not over buildings, climb trees but not reach the top, swim but not cross valleys, dig holes but not fully hide itself, and run but not get ahead of others. This describes a creature that is greedy but lacks the necessary skills to succeed.
- Zhēn (贞): Refers to adherence to the righteous path or integrity.
- Lì (厉): Refers to danger, harshness, or caution.
This line suggests that if one seeks advancement without a clear direction or skills (symbolized by the shrew), it will lead to failure or danger, even if one adheres to the right path. Greed without proper capability will not result in success.
Advice for this line:
- Do not act impulsively or greedily. Even if you remain cautious, if you lack the necessary skills or foundation, you may face adversity.
- Focus on developing real competence and patience. Advancement should be built on solid ground, not on empty ambition.
- Stay humble, and remember that skills and expertise matter more than desire for quick results.
Changing to the 23rd Hexagram (Mountain and Earth)
The line transitions to Hexagram 23: Mountain and Earth (山地剥), with Kūn (坤, Earth) below and Gèn (艮, Mountain) above. This symbolizes a time of decay, falling apart, or diminishment, where things are being stripped away and there is a lack of support. It represents a period of hardship, where small people may gain power, but the noble and virtuous are left struggling.
Philosophical Meaning of the Fifth Line of the Jìn Hexagram
Line Text: Liù Wǔ (六五): Huǐ wú, shī dé wù xù; wǎng jí, wú bù lì.
Translation: “Regret is gone; do not worry about gains and losses. Go forward with confidence, all will be smooth.”
Line Explanation:
- Huǐ (悔): Refers to regret or remorse.
- Shī (失): Refers to loss or failure.
- Dé (得): Refers to gains or achievement.
- Xù (恤): Refers to worry or concern.
This line suggests that regret fades away, and there is no need to worry about what you may have lost or gained. Moving forward with confidence will lead to smooth progress and success.
Advice for this line:
- Do not dwell on past regrets or losses. Focus on the present and look ahead to the future with a sense of confidence and clarity.
- Success is assured when you remain steadfast and true to your purpose.
- In times of advancement, stay humble, focused, and grounded.
Changing to the 12th Hexagram (Heaven and Earth)
This line transitions to Hexagram 12: Heaven and Earth (天地否), where Kūn (坤, Earth) is below and Qián (乾, Heaven) is above. This represents a period where the heavenly forces are blocked, and things are not progressing as expected. It symbolizes opposition or stagnation but also indicates that such periods of difficulty eventually give way to progress when the right moment comes.
Philosophical Meaning of the Sixth Line of the Jìn Hexagram
Line Text: Shàng Jiǔ (上九): Jìn qí jiǎo, wéi yòng fá yì, lì yòu, wú jiù; zhēn lìn.
Translation: “Advancing to its peak, using force to conquer smaller cities, caution is needed on the right; no harm if the right actions are taken, but beware of overreaching.”
Line Explanation:
- Qí jiǎo (其角): Refers to the tip of a horn, symbolizing reaching the pinnacle or the extreme point of something.
- Fá (伐): Refers to attacking or conquering.
- Yì (邑): Refers to small towns or tributary states.
- Lì (厉): Refers to danger or harshness.
- Zhēn (贞): Refers to adherence to the righteous path or integrity.
- Lìn (吝): Refers to stinginess or being overly cautious.
This line indicates that advancement may lead to a position of great power, where one can even conquer subordinate territories. However, such a position is fraught with danger and requires careful action. Overreaching could result in setbacks, so one must be cautious and ensure their actions are well-measured.
Advice for this line:
- Do not overextend yourself once you reach the peak. While you may have the ability to conquer or control, the balance must be carefully maintained.
- Remain cautious and focused on your true goals. Overreaching will lead to unnecessary risks.
- The key is to know when to act and when to step back. Do not let greed or ambition blind your judgment.
Changing to the 16th Hexagram (Thunder and Earth)
This line transitions to Hexagram 16: Thunder and Earth (雷地豫), with Kūn (坤, Earth) below and Zhèn (震, Thunder) above. This symbolizes preparation for action and a joyful, harmonious movement. The thunder represents change and action driven by joy and enthusiasm. The message here is to prepare for change and take proactive steps to ensure success and harmony.