# Hexagram 53 · Jiàn (渐) · Gradual Progress

> **GuaCard #53 (Steady)**: Slow and steady is the way. / 循序渐进，就是正道。

Like a tree slowly growing on a mountain, this hexagram signals gradual progress. Good outcomes come through proper steps, in relationships and in work alike. Do not rush to skip stages; steady advancement is what lasts.

_Editorial summary_

## Judgment

漸：女歸吉，利貞。

Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

## Line 1

初六：鴻漸于干，小子厲，有言，无咎。

The first line, divided, shows the wild geese gradually approaching the shore. A young officer (in similar circumstances) will be in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.

## Line 2

六二：鴻漸于磐，飲食衎衎，吉。

The second line, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.

## Line 3

九三：鴻漸于陸，夫征不復，婦孕不育，凶；利禦寇。

The third line, undivided, shows them gradually advanced to the dry plains. (It suggests also the idea of) a husband who goes on an expedition from which he does not return, and of a wife who is pregnant, but will not nourish her child. There will be evil. (The case symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.

## Line 4

六四：鴻漸于木，或得其桷，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.

## Line 5

九五：鴻漸于陵，婦三歲不孕，終莫之勝，吉。

The fifth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the high mound. (It suggests the idea of) a wife who for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.

## Line 6

上九：鴻漸于陸，其羽可用為儀，吉。

The sixth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights (beyond). Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.

## Sources

- [周易 · 中文原文（Ruism Digital Library）](https://ruism.org/library/classic-of-changes/53#53.1)
- [James Legge, The Yî King (1882), Sacred Books of the East, XVI](https://ruism.org/library/classic-of-changes/53#53.1)