I Ching · Hexagram 19 of 64
19. Lín 臨 · Approach
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Good things are drawing near. Act while the season is favourable.
- Upper trigram
- Earth 坤
- Lower trigram
- Lake 兌
What hexagram 19 means
Lín is the earth above a lake: the land drawing close to the water. It is the approach of spring, when good things draw near. The advice is to act while the season is favourable, with kindness towards those you lead, because every season eventually turns.
Hexagram 19 in daily life
At work
Opportunities are approaching. Move while the timing is good.
In relationships
Warmth and approachability draw people closer.
For yourself
Draw near to what you want with confidence, but remember seasons change.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Approaching together. Persistence brings good fortune. |
| Line 2 | Approaching together. Good fortune; everything favours you. |
| Line 3 | Comfortable, careless approach. Nothing works this way; if you regret it, there is no blame. |
| Line 4 | Complete, sincere approach. No blame. |
| Line 5 | Wise approach, fitting for a leader: good fortune. |
| Line 6 | Generous, great-hearted approach: good fortune. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Lake 兌 (Duì), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Earth 坤 (Kūn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Earth over Metal. Lake is the trigram of Kua 7 and Earth is the trigram of Kua 2.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 33. Dùn 遯 · Retreat
- Inverted (read upside down): 20. Guān 觀 · Contemplation
- Trigrams swapped: 45. Cuì 萃 · Gathering Together
Questions to reflect on
- What is drawing near to me right now?
- How can I use this good season?
- Am I approaching with care, or carelessly?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.