Chien / Development (Gradual Progress)

above:Sun The Gentle, Wind
below:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain

The first [six], 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.

The goose from the most ancient times played an important part in the marriage ceremonies of the Chinese; and this may have suggested the use of it in the symbolism of the different lines. Its habits as a bird of passage, and flying in processional order, admirably suited the writer's purpose. In paragraph 1 it appears for the first time in the season approaching the shore. Then comes the real subject of the line; and the facts of its being weak, and without a proper correlate, agree with, if they do not suggest, what is said about him, and the caution added.