Hexagram 19 · Approach

临 · Lín

Hexagram 19, Approach (临, Lín), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Lake below and Earth above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，利贞；至于八月，有凶。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with approach, oversight and care from above. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Lake (兑) — joy and open exchange
Upper trigram: Earth (坤) — receptivity and support
Symbol: ䷒ · Name: 临 (Lín) · Number: 19 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yang) (初九)
   咸临，贞吉。
   The Image says: “咸临，贞吉”，志行正也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   咸临，吉，无不利。
   The Image says: “咸临，吉，无不利”，未顺命也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   甘临，无攸利；既忧之，无咎。
   The Image says: “甘临”，位不当也；“既忧之”，“咎”不长也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   至临，无咎。
   The Image says: “至临，无咎”，位当也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   知临，大君之宜，吉。
   The Image says: “大君之宜”，行中之谓也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   敦临，吉，无咎。
   The Image says: “敦临”之“吉”，志在内也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 19?

Hexagram 19 is Approach (临, Lín), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Lake below and Earth above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Approach?

The judgment of Approach reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，利贞；至于八月，有凶。”. Its Great Image reads: “泽上有地，临。君子以教思无穷，容保民无疆。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Approach symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Approach is associated with approach, oversight and care from above. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.