Hexagram 41: Decrease
Sacrifice, simplification
| Chinese | 損 (Sǔn) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☶ Mountain — Keeping Still (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☱ Lake — The Joyous (Metal) |
| Keywords | decrease, sacrifice, simplicity, sincerity |
| Opposite | Hexagram 31: Influence |
| Inverted | Hexagram 42: Increase |
What does Hexagram 41 (Decrease) mean?
Decrease 損 (Sǔn) is hexagram 41 of the I Ching, formed by Mountain (Keeping Still) over Lake (The Joyous). Its theme is sacrifice, simplification, with key ideas of decrease, sacrifice, simplicity, sincerity. The Judgment reads: “Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune.”
The Judgment of Decrease
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune.
The Image of Decrease
At the foot of the mountain, the lake.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 41
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Nine at the beginning
“Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.”
Completing one's duty swiftly is right; but before reducing what others have, consider carefully how much they can bear.
Nine in the second place
“Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others.”
Stability of character is the true gift to others. Draining oneself to give is unsustainable; inner integrity naturally overflows to enrich.
Six in the third place
“When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, he finds a companion.”
Excessive company creates friction and reduces to a productive pair; solitude naturally draws the complementary partner. Every dynamic finds its right number.
Six in the fourth place
“If a man decreases his faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame.”
Working on one's own shortcomings draws people near spontaneously. Self-improvement is the most attractive and blameless form of invitation.
Six in the fifth place
“Someone does indeed increase him — ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.”
When heaven wills an increase, no force can prevent it. The blessing that comes at the right time from the right source is irresistible.
Nine at the top
“If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home.”
Increase that comes without taking from anyone else is pure good fortune. When one's gain contributes to the whole, separation from the community becomes unnecessary.
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