渐
53. Development
jiàn; Gradual progress
Judgment
渐：女归吉，利贞。
Development. The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune. Perseverance furthers. Step by step, in proper order, things last.
Image
山上有木，渐；君子以居贤德善俗。
On the mountain, a tree: the image of development. The noble person abides in dignity and virtue, in order to improve the mores.
Lines
- Line 1, yin (six)
初六：鸿渐于干，小子厉，有言，无咎。
The wild goose gradually draws near the shore. The young son is in danger. There is talk. No blame. Unease and talk at the start are normal.
- Line 2, yin (six)
六二：鸿渐于磐，饮食衎衎，吉。
The wild goose gradually draws near the cliff. Eating and drinking in peace and concord. Good fortune. Find a solid foothold and enjoy the process.
- Line 3, yang (nine)
九三：鸿渐于陆，夫征不复，妇孕不育，凶；利御寇。
The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau. The man goes forth and does not return. The woman carries a child but does not bring it forth. Misfortune. It furthers one to fight off robbers. Overreach detached from your base—switch to defence.
- Line 4, yin (six)
六四：鸿渐于木，或得其桷，无咎。
The wild goose gradually draws near the tree. Perhaps it will find a flat branch. No blame. Find the right place in an imperfect environment.
- Line 5, yang (nine)
九五：鸿渐于陵，妇三岁不孕，终莫之胜，吉。
The wild goose gradually draws near the summit. For three years the woman has no child. In the end nothing can hinder her. Good fortune. Long delays are overcome.
- Line 6, yang (nine)
上九：鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪，吉。
The wild goose gradually draws near the cloud heights. Its feathers can be used for the sacred dance. Good fortune. Heights reached gradually make you an example to others.
In the enterprise
The hexagram of gradual development, culture formation and long relationships: phased international entry, nurturing culture, long-term client relationships, talent growth paths. 'Abide in virtue to improve the mores': culture and reputation accumulate slowly; they cannot be rushed.
Psychological lens
Resonates with the time curve of habit formation and incremental commitment (foot-in-the-door); line 3 is the haste bias of over-expansion.
Related hexagrams
64. 未济 Before Completion
Lines 2–4 and 3–5: the hidden dynamics inside the situation.Opposite
54. 归妹 The Marrying Maiden
Every line reversed: the shadow side and blind spots.Inverse
54. 归妹 The Marrying Maiden
The figure turned upside down: the counterpart's or stakeholder's view.King Wen pair
54. 归妹 The Marrying Maiden
Situations in the library that use this hexagram
- Entering an adjacent market Enterprise, Line 2, yin (six)
- Onboarding new hires Enterprise, Line 1, yin (six)
- Big digital spend, slow results Enterprise, Line 5, yang (nine)
- Brand extension Enterprise, Line 4, yin (six)
- Long-term value vs. quarterly results Enterprise, Judgment
- Culture diluting during rapid growth Enterprise, Line 3, yang (nine)
- Factory and production-line layout Enterprise, Line 2, yin (six)
- Long-termism under short-term pressure Enterprise, Line 6, yang (nine)
- Right path, slow progress Individuals, Judgment
- Choosing a first job Individuals, Line 1, yin (six)
- Whether to marry Individuals, Judgment
- Social nervousness Individuals, Line 1, yin (six)
- Giving back to your hometown Individuals, Line 6, yang (nine)
- Struggling to keep exercising Individuals, Line 2, yin (six)
- Study and workspace Individuals, Line 4, yin (six)
- Improving how you study Individuals, Judgment
Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.