Hexagram 35, Jìn (Progress): Line 6 (top)

晋卦上九 · 火地晋 · 中文版

上九:晋其角,维用伐邑,厉吉无咎,贞吝。

The line (Legge)

The topmost NINE, undivided, shows one advancing his horns. But he only uses them to punish the (rebellious people of his own) city. The position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. (Yet) however firm and correct he may be, there will be occasion for regret.

Small Image commentary

'He uses his horns only to punish (the rebellious people of) his city:' - his course of procedure is not yet brilliant.

象曰:维用伐邑,道未光也。

In plain words

Advancing with the horns; use it only to punish one's own city; aware of danger, good fortune and no fault; holding on brings regret. The horns are the hard, topmost point: advance has gone as far as it can. The top line is extremely strong and is fit only for putting its own house in order. The Small Image says its way is not yet bright.

Applying it to your situation

If you have pushed to the very top, this line suggests turning your strength toward putting yourself in order. What in yourself needs setting right now?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the top place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is not in its proper place. Its partner is line 3; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Jìn changes into Hexagram 16 Yù (Enthusiasm). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·晋之豫.

The hexagram

Hexagram 35 Jìn (Progress). The Judgment: In Jin we see a prince who secures the tranquillity (of the people) presented on that account with numerous horses (by the king), and three times in a day received at interviews.

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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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