I Ching - Hexagram: Approach, Getting Started(临)    Swapped Trigram Nuclear Hexagram Inverse Hexagram Opposite Hexagram Related Hexagrams
Hexagra Sequence

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Hexagram Note:
Hexagram Lín – Earth over Lake (Lake Below, Earth Above)

Kūn above, Duì below

Lín (Judgment)

Lín:
Great. Pervasive success.
Favorable. Steadfastness is beneficial.
Yet by the eighth month, there comes misfortune.

Tuàn Commentary (Commentary on the Judgment)

“Lín — Approach.
The strong gradually increases and grows.
Joyful yet compliant;
the strong is centered and corresponds.
Great success through correctness—
this is the Way of Heaven.

‘By the eighth month, there is misfortune’:
decline will not take long to arrive.”

Xiàng Commentary (Commentary on the Image)

“Lake beneath the Earth—this is Lín.
The noble one, following this,
teaches with thoughts that never exhaust,
and embraces and protects the people
with care that knows no bounds.”

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Love,Marriage：
The Lin Hexagram (Earth over Lake, ☷ above ☱ below)

The 19th hexagram of the I Ching, Lin (临) literally means “to approach closely from above,” implying personal presence, guidance, care, and leadership. It symbolizes the emergence of yang energy, the approach of life, the care of a leader, and also signifies closeness, gentle guidance, nourishment, and mutual growth in relationships.

In love and marriage, Lin represents a “gentle yet powerful way of drawing near,” especially suited to deepening intimacy, nurturing relationship growth, and strengthening emotional companionship and guidance. It teaches that love is not intrusion, but a warm, rhythmic approach and guidance.
I. Basic Information and Symbolism of Lin Hexagram

Hexagram structure: Upper trigram Kun (Earth), lower trigram Dui (Lake)

Hexagram text:
Lin, great success, favorable and correct. Yet in the eighth month, misfortune occurs.

Image text:
Lake above the earth, Lin (approach). The gentleman teaches and thinks without end, nurtures and protects the people without boundary.

Core keywords: Approach, nourish, care, teach, accompany, grow, warning

II. Five Core Marriage Wisdom Principles from Lin Hexagram

✅ 1. Approach with the attitude of "Lin": proximity without control; guidance without coercion
True intimacy is not emotional entanglement, but gentle closeness that respects boundaries.

Application:

Learn to be “gently proactive”: express care without over-interference

Give space while conveying a stable presence of “I am here”

In emotional ups and downs, avoid rushing to “lecture” but accompany the emotional transition

✅ 2. “Teach and think without end”: love as a mutual nourishment and growth practice
The Image says: “The gentleman teaches and thinks without end,” meaning continuous inspiration, guidance, and joint progress.

Application:

Learn and grow with your partner (reading, courses, meditation, travel, etc.)

Treat marriage as a “shared learning ground” to inspire each other’s potential

Avoid complaining about “him/her not meeting expectations,” instead become a partner in growth

✅ 3. “Great success, favorable and correct”: relationship needs the four virtues
“Great success, favorable, correct, and steadfast” means the relationship should cultivate:

Greatness (yuan): Pure original intention

Success (heng): Smooth process

Benefit (li): Mutual benefit

Integrity (zhen): Hold to the right path

Application:

Regularly revisit the “original intention of being together”

Notice and clear obstacles for smooth daily interaction

Ensure the relationship nourishes rather than drains both

Uphold respect, loyalty, and honesty as bottom lines

✅ 4. “Misfortune in the eighth month”: every relationship has cycles of decline—prepare in advance
The eighth month in the ancient calendar marks yang energy fading; Lin hexagram predicts dangers within prosperity.

Application:

Prepare emotional “low tide coping mechanisms” during good times (regular communication, signals to check in)

Avoid complacency in happiness; do not overlook partner’s needs

Establish “periodic review” systems, e.g., emotional check-ins every six months

✅ 5. Kun above and Dui below: gentle joy, earth and lake nourish silently
Kun is thick earth, Dui is joyful lake. Lin’s yin softness and joyfulness inspire that marriage’s power lies in silent nourishment.

Application:

Show love and appreciation in daily details (washing dishes after meals, gentle thanks, eye contact)

Improve your partner through “acceptance” not “criticism” (affirm strengths, guide improvements)

Be like water—flowing and inclusive, not rigid or confrontational

III. Five-Step Marriage Application Model of Lin Hexagram
Stage Hexagram Meaning Marriage Strategy
1. Approach Lin: gentle guidance Increase intimacy, maintain “accessibility”
2. Nourish Teach and think without end Grow together, mutually support
3. Smoothness Path of success and benefit Clear relationship obstacles, improve communication
4. Stability Integrity Build consensus, defend principles
5. Warning Misfortune in the eighth month Emotional health check, prevent decline
IV. Lin Hexagram Strategy Suggestions for Different Marriage States
Marriage State Lin Strategy
❤️ Emotional distance Use “non-intrusive” approach, like reading a book together, gentle conversations
😞 Tense relations Let go of control, use Dui’s “joy” to ease tension
🌀 Communication difficulties Build “guided questioning” instead of argumentative expression
🌱 Early repair Create small spaces, rituals, goals, keep gently drawing near
V. Closing: Lin Hexagram as the Path of Loving Cultivation

Lin teaches us not how to control love, but how to become a person worthy of love and capable of guiding love.

In relationships, “Lin” is a quiet wisdom:

No control, no grasping, but constant approach;

No commanding, no criticizing, but continuous inspiration;

No obsession, no panic, but steady nourishment.

True intimacy, as Lin shows, is a gentle yet guiding, orderly companionship from deep within.