Hexagram 53 · Development

渐 · Jiàn

Hexagram 53, Development (渐, Jiàn), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Mountain below and Wind above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “女归吉，利贞。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with gradual development, like a tree on a mountain. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Mountain (艮) — stillness and knowing when to stop
Upper trigram: Wind (巽) — gentleness and quiet penetration
Symbol: ䷴ · Name: 渐 (Jiàn) · Number: 53 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   鸿渐于干；小子厉，有言，无咎。
   The Image says: “小子”之“厉”，义无咎也。
2. 六二 (六二)
   鸿渐于磐，饮食衎衎，吉。
   The Image says: “饮食衎衎”，不素饱也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   鸿渐于陆，夫征不复，妇孕不育，凶；利御寇。
   The Image says: “夫征不复”，离群丑也；“妇孕不育”，失其道也；“利”用“御寇”，顺相保也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   鸿渐于木，或得其桷，无咎。
   The Image says: “或得其桷”，顺以巽也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   鸿渐于陵，妇三岁不孕；终莫之胜，吉。
   The Image says: “终莫之胜，吉”，得所愿也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪，吉。
   The Image says: “其羽可用为仪，吉”，不可乱也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 53?

Hexagram 53 is Development (渐, Jiàn), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Mountain below and Wind above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Development?

The judgment of Development reads, in the Chinese original: “女归吉，利贞。”. Its Great Image reads: “山上有木，渐。君子以居贤德善俗。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Development symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Development is associated with gradual development, like a tree on a mountain. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.