Chien / Development (Gradual Progress)
above:Sun The Gentle, Wind
below:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain
This hexagram is made up of Sun (wood, penetration) above, i.e., without, and Kên (mountain, stillness) below, i.e., within. A tree on a mountain develops slowly according to the law of its being and consequently stands firmly rooted. This gives the idea of a development that proceeds gradually, step by step. The attributes of the trigrams also point to this: within is tranquillity, which guards against precipitate actions, and without is penetration, which makes development and progress possible.
The Judgement
DEVELOPMENT. The maiden
Is given in marriage.
Good fortune.
Perseverance furthers.
The development of events that leads to a girl's following a man to his
home proceeds slowly. The various formalities must be disposed of
before the marriage takes place. This principle of gradual development
can be applied to other situations as well; it is always applicable
where it is a matter of correct relationships of co-operation, as for
instance in the appointment of an official. The development must be
allowed to take its proper course. Hasty action would not be wise. This
is also true, finally, of any effort to exert influence on others, for
here too the essential factor is a correct way of development through
cultivation of one's own personality. No influence such as that exerted
by agitators has a lasting effect.
Within the personality too, development must follow the same course if
lasting results are to be achieved. Gentleness that is adaptable, but
at the same time penetrating, is the outer form that should proceed
from inner calm.
The very gradualness of the development makes it necessary to have
perseverance, for perseverance alone prevents slow progress from
dwindling to nothing.
The Image
On the mountain, a tree:
The image of DEVELOPMENT.
Thus the superior man abides in dignity and virtue,
In order to improve the mores.
The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development influences the landscape of the entire region. It does not shoot up like a swamp plant; its growth proceeds gradually. Thus also the work of influencing people can be only gradual. No sudden influence or awakening is of lasting effect. Progress must be quite gradual, and in order to obtain such progress in public opinion and in the mores of the people, it is necessary for the personality to acquire influence and weight. This comes about through careful and constant work on one's own moral development.