I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
53 - Chien / Development (Gradual Progress)
Above: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
This hexagram is made up of Sun (wood, penetration) above and without, and Kên (mountain, stillness) below and within. A tree on a mountain develops slowly according to the law of its being and consequently stands firmly rooted. This gives the idea of a development that proceeds gradually, step by step. The attributes of the trigrams also point to this. Within is tranquillity, which guards against precipitate actions, and without is penetration, which makes development and progress possible.
The development of events that leads to a girl following a man to his home proceeds slowly. The various formalities must be disposed of before the marriage takes place. This principle of gradual development can be applied to other situations as well, and it is always applicable where it is a matter of correct relationships based on co-operation, as for instance in the appointment of an official. The development must be allowed to take its proper course. Hasty action would not be wise. This is also true, finally, of any effort to exert influence on others, for here too, the essential factor is a correct way of development through cultivation of ones own personality. No influence such as that exerted by agitators has a lasting effect. Within the personality too, development must follow the same course if lasting results are to be achieved. Gentleness that is adaptable, but at the same time penetrating, is the outer form that should proceed from inner calm. The very gradualness of the development makes it necessary to have perseverance, for perseverance alone prevents slow progress from dwindling to nothing.
The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development influences the landscape of the entire region. It does not shoot up like a swamp plant, but its growth proceeds gradually. Thus also, the work of influencing people can be only gradual. No sudden influence or awakening is of lasting effect. Progress must be quite gradual, and in order to obtain such progress in public opinion and in the mores of the people, it is necessary for the personality to acquire influence and weight. This comes about through careful and constant work on ones own moral development.
Above: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
This hexagram is made up of Sun (wood, penetration) above and without, and Kên (mountain, stillness) below and within. A tree on a mountain develops slowly according to the law of its being and consequently stands firmly rooted. This gives the idea of a development that proceeds gradually, step by step. The attributes of the trigrams also point to this. Within is tranquillity, which guards against precipitate actions, and without is penetration, which makes development and progress possible.
The Judgement
DEVELOPMENT. The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune. Perseverance furthers.The development of events that leads to a girl following a man to his home proceeds slowly. The various formalities must be disposed of before the marriage takes place. This principle of gradual development can be applied to other situations as well, and it is always applicable where it is a matter of correct relationships based on co-operation, as for instance in the appointment of an official. The development must be allowed to take its proper course. Hasty action would not be wise. This is also true, finally, of any effort to exert influence on others, for here too, the essential factor is a correct way of development through cultivation of ones own personality. No influence such as that exerted by agitators has a lasting effect. Within the personality too, development must follow the same course if lasting results are to be achieved. Gentleness that is adaptable, but at the same time penetrating, is the outer form that should proceed from inner calm. The very gradualness of the development makes it necessary to have perseverance, for perseverance alone prevents slow progress from dwindling to nothing.
The Image
On the mountain, a tree: The image of DEVELOPMENT. Thus, the superior man abides in dignity and virtue, in order to improve the public mores.The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development influences the landscape of the entire region. It does not shoot up like a swamp plant, but its growth proceeds gradually. Thus also, the work of influencing people can be only gradual. No sudden influence or awakening is of lasting effect. Progress must be quite gradual, and in order to obtain such progress in public opinion and in the mores of the people, it is necessary for the personality to acquire influence and weight. This comes about through careful and constant work on ones own moral development.
Changing
Six in the second place means:
He lends grace to the beard on his chin.
The beard is not an independent thing, it moves only with the chin. The image therefore means that form is to be considered only as a result and attribute of content. The beard is a superfluous ornament. To devote care to it for its own sake, without regard for the inner content of which it is an ornament, would bespeak a certain vanity.
He lends grace to the beard on his chin.
The beard is not an independent thing, it moves only with the chin. The image therefore means that form is to be considered only as a result and attribute of content. The beard is a superfluous ornament. To devote care to it for its own sake, without regard for the inner content of which it is an ornament, would bespeak a certain vanity.
Nine at the top means:
Simple grace. No blame.
Here at the highest stage of development all ornament is discarded. Form no longer conceals content but brings out its value to the fullest. Perfect grace consists not of exterior ornamentation of the substance, but in the simple utility of its form.
Simple grace. No blame.
Here at the highest stage of development all ornament is discarded. Form no longer conceals content but brings out its value to the fullest. Perfect grace consists not of exterior ornamentation of the substance, but in the simple utility of its form.
Transformed
22 - Pi / Grace
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
This hexagram shows a fire that breaks out of the secret depths of the earth and, blazing up, illuminates and beautifies the mountain and the heavenly heights. Grace and beauty of form is necessary in any union if it is to be well-ordered and pleasing rather than disordered and chaotic.
Grace brings success. However, it is not the essential or fundamental thing, it is only an ornament and therefore must be used sparingly and only for little things. In the lower trigram of fire, a yielding line comes between two strong lines and makes them beautiful, but the strong lines are the essential content and the weak line is the beautifying form. In the upper trigram of the mountain, the strong line takes the lead, so here again the strong element must be regarded as the decisive factor.
In nature, we see in the sky the strong light of the sun which the life of the world depends on. But this strong, essential thing is changed and given pleasing variety by the moon and the stars. In human affairs, aesthetic form comes into being when traditions exist that, strong and abiding like mountains, are made pleasing by a lucid beauty. By contemplating the forms existing in the heavens we come to understand time and its changing demands. Through contemplation of the forms existing in human society it becomes possible to shape the world.
The fire, whose light illuminates the mountain and makes it pleasing, does not shine far. In the same way, beautiful form suffices to brighten and to throw light upon matters of lesser moment, but important questions cannot be decided in this way. They require greater earnestness.
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
This hexagram shows a fire that breaks out of the secret depths of the earth and, blazing up, illuminates and beautifies the mountain and the heavenly heights. Grace and beauty of form is necessary in any union if it is to be well-ordered and pleasing rather than disordered and chaotic.
The Judgement
GRACE has success in small matters. It is favorable to undertake something.Grace brings success. However, it is not the essential or fundamental thing, it is only an ornament and therefore must be used sparingly and only for little things. In the lower trigram of fire, a yielding line comes between two strong lines and makes them beautiful, but the strong lines are the essential content and the weak line is the beautifying form. In the upper trigram of the mountain, the strong line takes the lead, so here again the strong element must be regarded as the decisive factor.
In nature, we see in the sky the strong light of the sun which the life of the world depends on. But this strong, essential thing is changed and given pleasing variety by the moon and the stars. In human affairs, aesthetic form comes into being when traditions exist that, strong and abiding like mountains, are made pleasing by a lucid beauty. By contemplating the forms existing in the heavens we come to understand time and its changing demands. Through contemplation of the forms existing in human society it becomes possible to shape the world.
The Image
Fire at the foot of the mountain: The image of GRACE. Thus, does the superior man proceed when clearing up current affairs, but he dare not decide controversial issues in this way.The fire, whose light illuminates the mountain and makes it pleasing, does not shine far. In the same way, beautiful form suffices to brighten and to throw light upon matters of lesser moment, but important questions cannot be decided in this way. They require greater earnestness.