I Ching hexagram · 53 of 64
Hexagram 53: Gradual Development 渐 Jiàn · Gradual progress, patience, proper process
Advance step by step, like a tree on a mountain. The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune. Perseverance brings benefit.
- Upper: ☴ Wind
- Lower: ☶ Mountain
- Nuclear: 64
- Opposite: 54
Number
53 of 64
Chinese name
渐 Jiàn
Upper trigram
☴ Wind
Lower trigram
☶ Mountain
Nuclear hexagram
䷿ 64. Before Completion
Opposite hexagram
䷵ 54. The Marrying Maiden
What hexagram 53 means
Hexagram 53 shows a tree growing slowly on a mountainside, and its lines follow a wild goose moving step by step from the shore to the heights. It describes gradual, orderly progress.
Lasting things develop slowly and in the proper order, like a traditional marriage that follows each step. Be patient, do things properly and your influence will grow.
The Judgement · 卦辞
渐：女归吉，利贞。
The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune. Perseverance brings benefit.
The Image · 象曰
山上有木，渐；君子以居贤德善俗。
A tree on the mountain: the image of development. The noble person abides in dignity and virtue and improves the customs of the people.
The lines and trigrams
Gradual Development places ☴ Wind (巽 Xùn), the trigram of gentle, penetrating influence, above ☶ Mountain (艮 Gèn), the trigram of stillness and restraint. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 53 in your life
Love and relationships
The relationship should develop step by step. Don't rush: courtship, trust and commitment in their proper order bring lasting happiness.
Personal growth
Grow gradually and steadily. Small, consistent steps lead to lasting change.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 53 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
The wild goose gradually draws near the shore. The young are in danger and there is talk, but no blame.
Line 2 六二 · Six in the second place
The wild goose gradually draws near the cliff. Eating and drinking in peace and harmony: good fortune.
Line 3 九三 · Nine in the third place
The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau. Rushing ahead leads to loss, so defend what you have.
Line 4 六四 · Six in the fourth place
The wild goose gradually draws near the tree and may find a flat branch to rest on. No blame.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
The wild goose gradually draws near the summit. Separation lasts a while, but in the end nothing prevails against you: good fortune.
Line 6 上九 · Nine at the top
The wild goose gradually draws near the cloud heights. Its feathers can be used in the sacred dance, an example to others. Good fortune.
Hexagram 53 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 53 mean?
Hexagram 53, Gradual Development (渐 Jiàn), is about gradual progress, patience, proper process. Advance step by step, like a tree on a mountain. Hexagram 53 shows a tree growing slowly on a mountainside, and its lines follow a wild goose moving step by step from the shore to the heights. It describes gradual, orderly progress.
What does hexagram 53 mean in love?
The relationship should develop step by step. Don't rush: courtship, trust and commitment in their proper order bring lasting happiness.
What does hexagram 53 mean for work and money?
Steady career progress through the proper channels. Follow due process and build your reputation over time.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 53?
Hexagram 53 has Wind (Xùn) as its upper trigram and Mountain (Gèn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 53?
Its nuclear hexagram is 64, Before Completion. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 54, The Marrying Maiden. Turned upside down it becomes 54, The Marrying Maiden.
All 64 hexagrams
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