Hexagram 19, line 1
初九Line 1 of Overseeing
Nine at the beginning · 臨 lín
爻辭 The line text
咸臨，貞吉。The first line, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the second line). Through his firm correctness there will be good fortune.
咸臨貞吉，志行正也。'The good fortune through the firm correctness of (the subject of the first line) advancing in company (with the subject of the second)' is due to his will being set on doing what is right.
In plain words
Lin is two strong lines rising from the bottom, 'the strong gradually growing' in the Tuan's words, and the first line is the leading edge of that growth. Its text, 'approaching together, steadiness brings good fortune', uses 咸 in the sense of 感: this line and the second move up as one, felt by the yin lines above. Line one is yang in a yang place, correct, and corresponds to the fourth line, which receives it. The small Image gives the reason for its good fortune: its will is to act rightly (志行正也). At the start of an approach the whole question is intention.
If this line is changing
You are at the front of something that is growing; keep your intention straight and move with your allies rather than ahead of them.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is in its correct place (當位): a yang line in an odd position or a yin line in an even one, which the tradition reads as a line at ease where it stands.
- It belongs to the lower trigram 兌 Dui (the Joyous) (lake).
- It corresponds (應) with line 4: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.
之卦 When this line moves
臨 Overseeing becomes ䷆ 7 師 Troops
Water held within the earth: an army, a disciplined multitude. Success needs a seasoned, upright leader and strict order; force is justified only for a right cause.
What it becomes7 · 師 TroopsshīThe six lines of 臨 Overseeing
- 初九Nine at the beginningapproach together · steadiness · a right will
- 九二Nine in the second placecentral strength · every advantage · not merely obeying
- 六三Six in the third placesweet approach · no advantage · worry saves it
- 六四Six in the fourth placedirect approach · right place · receiving the strong
- 六五Six in the fifth placewise approach · the great ruler · the middle way
- 上六Six at the topgenerous approach · the top turns inward · good at the end
Read 臨 Overseeing for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine at the beginning of hexagram 19, Overseeing, mean?
- Lin is two strong lines rising from the bottom, 'the strong gradually growing' in the Tuan's words, and the first line is the leading edge of that growth. Its text, 'approaching together, steadiness brings good fortune', uses 咸 in the sense of 感: this line and the second move up as one, felt by the yin lines above. Line one is yang in a yang place, correct, and corresponds to the fourth line, which receives it. The small Image gives the reason for its good fortune: its will is to act rightly (志行正也). At the start of an approach the whole question is intention.
- What does hexagram 19 become when line 1 changes?
- Overseeing becomes hexagram 7, 師 Troops: Water held within the earth: an army, a disciplined multitude. Success needs a seasoned, upright leader and strict order; force is justified only for a right cause.
- Is line 1 of Overseeing in its correct place?
- It is in its correct place (當位): a yang line in an odd position or a yin line in an even one, which the tradition reads as a line at ease where it stands.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).