Thirty-Fifth Hexagram : The Wisdom of Progress

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the thirty-fifth hexagram of the I Ching, Jin (晉), which symbolizes 'Progress'. It represents fire over earth, like the sun rising above the horizon, illuminating and advancing steadily, emphasizing gradual progress, receiving favors, and brightening one's virtue through persistent effort. The hexagram statement is: "Jin: Progress. The powerful prince is honored with horses in large numbers. In a single day he is granted audience three times."

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Rising Sun, Prince's Advancement'

Once upon a time, as the sun rose over the earth, casting advancing light across the land, a humble prince sought to progress in the king's court, honored with numerous horses and granted audience three times in a day for his merits. At the outset, he wished to advance but was held back, persevering with good fortune by remaining calm when meeting no confidence, maintaining a generous mind without error.

Sorrowful in his progress, he persisted rightly, receiving great blessing from his grandmother, who guided him centrally and correctly.

All around trusted him, remorse disappearing as their common aim moved upwards in accord, harmony prevailing.

But his advance became like a hamster, perseverance bringing danger as the position was inappropriate, leading to peril if continued.

Remorse disappeared as he took not gain and loss to heart; undertakings brought good fortune, everything serving to further without concern for failure or success.

At last, making progress with horns permissible only to punish his own city, he was conscious of danger bringing good fortune without blame, though perseverance brought humiliation as the way was not yet in the light.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

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Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

First Line (Initial Six): Progressing, but turned back. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one meets with no confidence, one should remain calm. No mistake.

This line represents wishing to advance but being held back, with perseverance and calmness leading to success. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, he wished to advance but was held back, persevering with good fortune by remaining calm when meeting no confidence, maintaining a generous mind without error." This symbolizes solitary pursuit of the correct course without an official charge yet. Annotation: I Ching Jin hexagram first line: "Progressing, but turned back. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one meets with no confidence, one should remain calm. No mistake."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): Progressing, but in sorrow. Perseverance brings good fortune. Then one obtains great happiness from one's ancestress.

This line suggests sorrowful advance resolved by perseverance, receiving blessing from an elder female figure. Matching part in the tale: "Sorrowful in his progress, he persisted rightly, receiving great blessing from his grandmother, who guided him centrally and correctly." This symbolizes central and correct position leading to the blessing. Annotation: I Ching Jin hexagram second line: "Progressing, but in sorrow. Perseverance brings good fortune. Then one obtains great happiness from one's ancestress."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing progressing in sorrow perseverance good fortune ancestress happiness, representing Jin hexagram second line: sorrowful persistence, grandmother guidance scene earth fire, warm oranges and blues for blessing."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): All are in accord. Remorse disappears.

This line indicates gaining trust from all, with remorse vanishing in unity. Matching part in the tale: "All around trusted him, remorse disappearing as their common aim moved upwards in accord, harmony prevailing." This symbolizes common aim to move upwards. Annotation: I Ching Jin hexagram third line: "All are in accord. Remorse disappears."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating all in accord remorse disappears harmony, embodying Jin hexagram third line: trusted unity, trust scene with fire earth, muted yellows and greens for upward aim."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): Progress like a hamster. Perseverance brings danger.

This line warns of timid or inappropriate advance, with persistence leading to peril. Matching part in the tale: "But his advance became like a hamster, perseverance bringing danger as the position was inappropriate, leading to peril if continued." This symbolizes position not appropriate for perseverance. Annotation: I Ching Jin hexagram fourth line: "Progress like a hamster. Perseverance brings danger."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying progress like hamster perseverance danger inappropriate position, symbolizing Jin hexagram fourth line: timid peril, hamster advance scene earth fire, dark browns and grays for warning."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): Remorse disappears. Take not gain and loss to heart. Undertakings bring good fortune. Everything serves to further.

This line represents letting go of concerns for success or failure, with undertakings succeeding. Matching part in the tale: "Remorse disappeared as he took not gain and loss to heart; undertakings brought good fortune, everything serving to further without concern for failure or success." This symbolizes movement in advance affording ground for congratulation. Annotation: I Ching Jin hexagram fifth line: "Remorse disappears. Take not gain and loss to heart. Undertakings bring good fortune. Everything serves to further."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing remorse disappears no gain loss undertakings good fortune everything further, representing Jin hexagram fifth line: unconcerned success, no concern scene fire earth, vibrant golds and purples for congratulation."

Top Line (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.

This line allows forceful advance only for internal correction, with awareness bringing success but perseverance humiliating. Matching part in the tale: "Making progress with horns permissible only to punish his own city, he was conscious of danger bringing good fortune without blame, though perseverance brought humiliation as the way was not yet in the light." This symbolizes course of procedure not yet brilliant. Annotation: I Ching Jin hexagram top line: "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."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting progress with horns punishing city conscious danger good fortune no blame perseverance humiliation, symbolizing Jin hexagram sixth line: internal correction, horn advance scene earth fire, dark reds and grays for awareness."

This blog should make the six lines of Jin hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~