Hexagram 35: Jin

Judgment

康侯用錫馬蕃庶，晝日三接。

In Žin 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.

A lord who has kept the land calm receives many horses as a gift and is welcomed three times in one day. The scene is a warm reception for proven merit.

Image

明出地上，晉；君子以自昭明德。

(The trigram representing) the earth and that for the bright (sun) coming forth above it form Žin. The superior man, according to this, gives himself to make more brilliant his bright virtue.

Line 1 · 初六

晉如，摧如，貞吉。罔孚，裕无咎。

The first line, divided, shows one wishing to advance, and (at the same time) kept back. Let him be firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. If trust be not reposed in him, let him maintain a large and generous mind, and there will be no error.

Your advance meets a setback. Stay steady, and if others do not yet trust you, keep a relaxed, generous mind and no fault attaches to you.

Line 2 · 六二

晉如，愁如，貞吉。受茲介福，于其王母。

The second line, divided, shows its subject with the appearance of advancing, and yet of being sorrowful. If he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune. He will receive this great blessing from his grandmother.

You move ahead but feel uneasy because the way up is not open yet. The line points to a blessing from an older, respected figure if you stay steady.

Line 3 · 六三

眾允，悔亡。

The third line, divided, shows its subject trusted by all (around him). All occasion for repentance will disappear.

The people around you agree with where you are headed, so a regret that might have lingered fades away. A shared direction makes this step easier.

Line 4 · 九四

晉如鼫鼠，貞厲。

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject with the appearance of advancing, but like a marmot. However firm and correct he may be, the position is one of peril.

You advance like a field rat, grabbing at a seat you may not hold with real merit and always afraid of being found out. Staying on this course is dangerous.

Line 5 · 六五

悔亡，矢得勿恤，往吉无不利。

The fifth line, divided, shows how all occasion for repentance disappears (from its subject). (But) let him not concern himself about whether he shall fail or succeed. To advance will be fortunate, and in every way advantageous.

Any regret lifts. Let go of worry over each gain and loss, because moving ahead is the right call and nothing stands in the way.

Line 6 · 上九

晉其角，維用伐邑，厲吉无咎，貞吝。

The topmost line, 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.

At the peak you advance with horns out, a force meant only for putting your own house in order. It is risky yet can end well, though pressing on leaves some regret.