Approach
Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 19, 臨 (Lín), represents Approach.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 19 (臨 Lín). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/lin). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
臨：元，亨，利，貞。至于八月有凶。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Great success; steadfastness is favorable. By the eighth month, there is misfortune.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
泽上有地,临。君子以教思无穷,容保民无疆。
James Legge: (The trigram for) the waters of a marsh and that for the earth above it form Lin. The superior man, in accordance with this, has his purposes of instruction that are inexhaustible, and nourishes and supports the people without limit.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初九：咸臨，貞吉。
James Legge: The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the second line). Through his firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
九二：咸臨，吉无不利。
James Legge: The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject advancing in company (with the subject of the first line). There will be good fortune; (advancing) will be in every way advantageous.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
六三：甘臨，无攸利。既憂之，无咎。
James Legge: The third SIX, divided, shows one well pleased (indeed) to advance, (but whose action) will be in no way advantageous. If he become anxious about it (however), there will be no error.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
六四：至臨，无咎。
James Legge: The fourth SIX, divided, shows one advancing in the highest mode. There will be no error.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
六五：知臨，大君之宜，吉。
James Legge: The fifth SIX, divided, shows the advance of wisdom, such as befits the great ruler. There will be good fortune.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：敦臨，吉无咎。
James Legge: The sixth SIX, divided, shows the advance of honesty and generosity. There will be good fortune, and no error.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Approach can prompt a careful question about nearness: what is being approached here — a task, a person, a responsibility — and with what manner? The figure's lines weigh grand-approach, sincere-approach, and forced postures against each other.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
This reflection predicts nothing about relationships or undertakings. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 19 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.