Hexagram 19
地泽临
Approach
Hexagram 19, Lin (Approach), is Earth over Lake - the earth standing above the lake, the higher drawing near to the lower.
Upper Trigram
☷
坤 (土)
Lower Trigram
☱
兑 (金)
Palace
坤 Palace
Shi / Ying Lines
Shi: Line 2 · Ying: Line 5
The 坤 trigram (土) sits above the 兑 trigram (金), forming 地泽临. This hexagram belongs to the 坤 Palace.
Judgment (卦辞)
Approach has supreme success. Perseverance furthers.
Judgment text follows the Wilhelm–Baynes translation (The I Ching or Book of Changes, Princeton University Press), quoted for commentary.
Image (象辞)
The earth above the lake: the image of Approach.
Line Texts (爻辞)
Joint approach. Perseverance brings good fortune. (咸临)
Joint approach. Good fortune. Everything furthers. (咸临)
Comfortable approach. Nothing that would further. (甘临)
Complete approach. No blame. (至临)
Wise approach. Right for a great prince. (知临)
Greathearted approach. Good fortune. (敦临)
Hexagram 19 in Love & Relationships
Relationships: Come close with sincerity. Approach is the beginning of every genuine bond.
Hexagram 19 in Career & Decisions
Career: Lead by drawing near, not standing above. The best leaders approach those they serve.
Hexagram 19 as a yes / no answer
Leans yes
The hexagram's core image favors moving forward — conditions support the asking.
The I Ching reads situations, not fixed outcomes — your reading can weigh the moving lines with this leaning.
In-Depth Analysis[+]
Hexagram 19, Lin (Approach), is Earth over Lake - the earth standing above the lake, the higher drawing near to the lower. This is the hexagram of approach, of the great coming close to the small to guide and teach. The judgment promises supreme success. The lines trace the modes of approach: the joint approach, the comfortable approach that nothing furthers, the complete approach, and the wise approach fit for a great prince. Lin teaches that true leadership is not domination but approach - the noble drawing near with sincerity to teach, to serve, and to uplift.
Historical Stories[+]
A great teacher who descends to the level of the student to lift them up - the earth approaching the lake.
The ruler who walks among his people rather than ruling from a distant throne - approach as the essence of good governance.
Practical Applications[+]
Career: Lead by drawing near, not standing above. The best leaders approach those they serve.
Relationships: Come close with sincerity. Approach is the beginning of every genuine bond.
Personal Growth: Beware the 'comfortable approach' that asks nothing. True approach asks something of you.
Classical Sources for Hexagram 19
卜筮正宗 (The Orthodox Manual of Divination)清 (Qing Dynasty, 1644–1912)
The Eighteen Questions framework, the classification of hexagram patterns by life domain (career, wealth, relationships, health, travel, litigation), and the methodological rules for interpreting conflicting lines.
Related Hexagrams
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Wonder how Hexagram 19 applies to your situation?
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