The trigram above – Li – the Clinging, Fire
The trigram below – K’UN – the Receptive, Earth
General: An easily won victory should not be taken for granted or treated lightly.
Love: Do not despise easy progress with your love life. Cherish it instead.
Business: Be thankful for your current success.
Personal: Take the time to consolidate your success and share it with those around you.
The hexagram represents the sun rising over the earth. It is therefore the symbol of rapid, easy progress, which at the same time means ever widening expansion and clarity.
As an example of progress, this pictures a time when a powerful feudal lord rallies the other lords around the sovereign and pledges fealty and peace. The sovereign rewards him richly and invites him to a closer intimacy.
A twofold idea is set forth here. The actual effect of the progress emanates from a a man who is in a dependent position and whom the others regard as their equal and are therefore willing to follow. This leader has enough clarity of vision not to abuse his great influence but to use it rather for the benefit of his ruler. His ruler in turn is free of all jealousy, showers presents on the great man, and invites him continually to his court. An enlightened ruler and an obedient servant – this is the condition on which great progress depends.
