䷒ Approach Lín
Core Meaning
The Hexagram of Approach reveals the wisdom of leadership and governance. 'Earth over Lake': the land is like an embankment over the lake, symbolizing a high position, embracing all people. 'Yang energy gradually invades and grows': the Yang energy is gradually increasing, which is a good time for implementing policies. But 'misfortune comes in the eighth month' warns that what flourishes will eventually decline. True approach is to 'teach endlessly and embrace and protect the people boundlessly'—to teach with endless consideration and nurture with vast virtue. 'Harmonious Approach' means approaching people with empathy, 'Wise Approach' means approaching people with wisdom, 'Magnanimous Approach' means approaching people with generosity and sincerity. However, 'Sweet Approach' (flattery) should be avoided.
The Judgment
Approach, great success, advantageous through perseverance. Misfortune comes in the eighth month.
Interpretation:
The Hexagram of Approach symbolizes supervision and governance, originating great success, and being beneficial for upholding the righteous path. However, when the Yang energy declines in the eighth month, there will be misfortune.
The Image
The lake is above the earth: Approach. The superior person teaches endlessly and embraces and protects the people boundlessly.
Structure
The Hexagram of Approach has Lake below and Earth above. Lake is the marsh, Earth is the land. The land over the marsh is like an embankment overlooking water, symbolizing governance from a high position. 'Yang energy gradually invades and grows' refers to the two solid lines at the beginning and second position which are gradually growing, indicating rising Yang energy. 'Pleasant below and compliant above' describes a good state of governance. However, the warning 'Misfortune comes in the eighth month' indicates that what flourishes will eventually decline. Those who rule the world need the magnanimity and wisdom to 'teach endlessly and embrace and protect the people boundlessly'.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial nine: Harmonious Approach, perseverance brings good fortune.
Nine in the second place: Harmonious Approach, good fortune, nothing not advantageous.
Six in the third place: Sweet Approach, nothing advantageous. If one worries about it, there will be no blame.
Six in the fourth place: Reaching Approach, no blame.
Six in the fifth place: Wise Approach, appropriate for a great ruler, good fortune.
Top six: Magnanimous Approach, good fortune, no blame.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Your career is in an upward phase, suitable for making significant progress. 'Yang energy gradually invades and grows' means it's a good time for development. The second line, 'Harmonious Approach, good fortune, nothing not advantageous,' indicates that your uprightness and responsiveness will gain support. 'Wise Approach' is the highest state, leading with wisdom is 'appropriate for a great ruler'. 'Teach endlessly' reminds you to cultivate your team, and 'embrace and protect the people boundlessly' means being inclusive. But beware of 'misfortune comes in the eighth month'; in times of prosperity, think of decline and avoid the falsity and superficiality of 'Sweet Approach'. The 'Magnanimous Approach' is the long-term path.
❤️ Relationships
You are in a dominant position in the relationship, and you should use this advantage wisely. 'Harmonious Approach' means engaging with the other person with sincerity. 'Reaching Approach' means being close to the other person. 'Wise Approach' means handling the relationship with wisdom, and 'Magnanimous Approach' means maintaining affection with generosity. But avoid the sweet talk of 'Sweet Approach'; 'nothing advantageous' will lead to no good results. 'Embrace and protect the people boundlessly' reminds you to be tolerant of the other person. 'Misfortune comes in the eighth month': even the best relationships should be wary of flourishing and then declining; continuous effort is needed.
🎯 Decision Making
The current situation is favorable; 'great success, advantageous through perseverance' means you can make bold decisions. 'Yang energy gradually invades and grows' means the timing is on your side. The key is how to 'approach': be sincere like 'Harmonious Approach', wise like 'Wise Approach', intimate like 'Reaching Approach', and magnanimous like 'Magnanimous Approach'. Do not use false means like 'Sweet Approach'. 'Teach endlessly and embrace and protect the people boundlessly' means having a long-term vision and an inclusive mind. Most importantly, remember 'misfortune comes in the eighth month': in prosperity, think of danger; be prepared for adversity even in peace.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest danger is the 'misfortune comes in the eighth month' scenario of flourishing and then declining. 'It does not last long,' the decline of Yang energy is not far off. 'Sweet Approach, nothing advantageous' means sweet talk will not bring good results; 'if one worries about it' and corrects it in time, then there will be 'no blame'. Avoid issues where 'your position is not appropriate' and ensure every decision aligns with the righteous path. The power of approach can easily lead to arrogance; maintain the humility of 'teach endlessly' and the inclusiveness of 'embrace and protect the people boundlessly'.
Applicable Scenarios
The Approach hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
King Wen's rule was a paradigm of the Approach Hexagram. He 'harmoniously approached' (咸临) to influence the feudal lords with virtue, 'wisely approached' (知临) to govern with wisdom, 'magnanimously approached' (敦临) to treat people with generosity, and implemented benevolent governance by 'teaching endlessly and embracing and protecting the people boundlessly.' He deeply understood the principle of 'misfortune comes in the eighth month' and remained vigilant even in times of prosperity. He welcomed virtuous talents like Jiang Ziya, and by being 'upright and responsive' (刚中而应), he received assistance. He avoided the falsehood of 'sweet approach' (甘临) and won the hearts of the people with his sincerity. This is the wisdom of the Approach Hexagram: to be in a high position without pride, to approach all people with inclusiveness, to contemplate danger in prosperity, and to prioritize virtuous conduct.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Approach hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: