Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 损 (Sǔn) |
| English Name | Decrease / Sacrifice |
| Trigrams | Mountain over Lake (艮上兑下) |
| Number | 41 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame. One may be persevering in this. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out? One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
At the foot of the mountain, the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九二 | 2nd | Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
| 六三 | 3rd | When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, he finds a companion. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 六四 | 4th | If a man decreases his faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 六五 | 5th | Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 上九 | 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. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Decreasing the lower to increase the higher; beneficial sacrifice
- Upper trigram Mountain (still and grounding) over lower trigram Lake (joyous and open)
- Embodies the qualities of decrease, sacrifice, simplicity and restraint, giving, reduction
Keywords
DecreaseSacrificeSimplicityRestraintGivingReduction
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Favorable with Sincerity
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Decreasing the lower to increase the higher; beneficial sacrifice Success is possible through simplicity and restraint. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance decrease with sacrifice to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels decrease and sacrifice. The Mountain trigram above suggests still and grounding energy in your outer dealings, while the Lake trigram below points to joyous and open foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on hands and back and mouth and respiratory. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody decrease and sacrifice. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes simplicity and restraint. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate decrease in all your actions
- Practice sacrifice consistently
- Embrace simplicity as your guiding principle
- Develop restraint through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of giving
- Abandon reduction under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 42. Yì (益) | Increase — the complementary movement |
| 19. Lín (临) | Approach — fullness that decrease addresses |
| 31. Xián (咸) | Influence — sensitivity gained through simplicity |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “Should I downsize my lifestyle to invest in my dreams?”
You received Hexagram 41, Decrease. The judgment says: 'Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame...' Decreasing the lower to increase the higher; beneficial sacrifice This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to sacrifice and simplicity. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.