益 Yì Increase (Gain) [hexagram 42]
Wind/Wood over Thunder
Wood element
Lunar month: 1 ; Host (controlling) line : 1
The Descision
Increase. All undertakings are favorable. It is also auspicious to go on a great journey.
‘Increase’ – the upper is lowered and the lower is increased. The people’s joy is limitless. The increase of the humble comes from those above and so the course is glorious. ‘All undertakings are favorable’ – the middle course is correct and rewarding. ‘Also auspicious to go on a great journey’ – due to the support of wood. Increase is made up of movement and adaption so daily progress is unlimited. Heaven gives and Earth receives – increasing without restriction. All increase is harmonious with time.
益: 利有攸往, 利涉大川. Yì: lì yǒu yōu wǎng, lì shè dà chuān.
彖传: 益, 损上益下, 民说无疆, 自上下下, 其道大光. 利有攸往, 中正有庆. 利涉大川, 木道乃行. 益动而巽, 日进无疆. 天施地生, 其益无方. 凡益之道, 与时偕行. Tuàn zhuàn: Yì, sǔn shàngyì xià, mín shuō wú jiāng, zì shàng xià xià, qí dào dà guāng. Lì yǒu yōu wǎng, zhōng zhèng yǒu qìng. Lì shè dà chuān, mù dào nǎi xíng. Yì dòng ér xùn, rì jìn wú jiāng. Tiān shī dì shēng, qíyì wú fāng. Fányì zhī dào, yǔ shí xié xíng.
The Image
Wind and thunder form ‘Increase’. The wise when perceiving the good, follow it and seeing faults correct them.
象传: 风雷, 益; 君子以见善则迁, 有过则改. Xiàng zhuàn: Fēng léi, yì; jūn zǐ yǐ jiàn shàn zé qiān, yǒu guò zé gǎi.
Advantageous to start a great undertaking. Great good fortune and no blame.
‘Great good fortune and no blame’- though it is unsuitable for the lower to take on important affairs.
初九: 利用为大作, 元吉, 无咎. Chū jiǔ: lì yòng wéi dà zuò, yuán jí, wú jiù.
象传: 元吉无咎, 下不厚事也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yuán jí wú jiù, xià bù hòu shì yě.
A gift of ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot be refused. If continue to be steadfast all will be well. The leader presents offerings to heaven and there is good fortune.
This gift comes from beyond.
六二: 或益之, 十朋之龟弗克违, 永贞吉. 王用享于帝, 吉. Liù èr: huò yì zhī, shí péng zhī guī fú kè wéi, yǒng zhēn jí. wáng yòng xiǎng yú dì, jí.
象传: 或益之, 自外来也. Xiàng zhuàn: Huò yì zhī, zì wài lái yě.
A gain due to unfortunate events. There is no blame if sincere; pursue the middle way and report to the leader with the appropriate credentials.
‘A gain due to unfortunate events’ – this must be considered.
六三: 益之用凶事, 无咎. 有孚中行, 告公用圭. Liù sān: yì zhī yòng xiōng shì, wú jiù. yǒu fú zhōng háng, gào gōng yòng guī.
象传: 益用凶事, 固有之也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yì yòng xiōng shì, gù yǒu zhī yě.
Following the middle way. Advice given to the boss is followed. It is worthwhile to follow advice in the moving of headquarters.
‘Advice given to the boss is followed’ – there is benefit to the general public.
六四: 中行, 告公从. 利用为依迁国. Liù sì: zhōng háng, gào gōng cóng. lì yòng wéi yī qiān guó.
象传: 告公从, 以益志也. Xiàng zhuàn: Gào gōng cóng, yǐ yì zhì yě.
With sincerity and kindness bring benefit to others. No need to question good fortune. Kindness will be acknowledged as a virtue.
‘With sincerity and kindness bring benefit to others’ – the benefit should not be questioned. ‘Kindness will be acknowledged as a virtue’ – achieving key objectives.
九五: 有孚惠心, 勿问元吉. 有孚惠我德. Jiǔ wǔ: yǒu fú huì xīn, wù wèn yuán jí. yǒu fú huì wǒ dé.
象传: 有孚惠心, 勿问之矣. 惠我德, 大得志也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yǒu fú huì xīn, wù wèn zhī yǐ. huì wǒ dé, dà dé zhì yě.
No gain to anyone, indeed a cause for conflict. Heart is not constant and there will be misfortune.
‘No gain to anyone’ – ignoring half the consequences. ‘Indeed a cause for conflict’ – the source is outside.
上九: 莫益之, 或击之, 立心勿恒, 凶. Shàng jiǔ: mò yì zhī, huò jī zhī, lì xīn wù héng, xiōng.
象传: 莫益之, 偏辞也. 或击之, 自外来也. Xiàng zhuàn: Mò yì zhī, piān cí yě. Huò jī zhī, zì wài lái yě.
The full set of 64 English translations is available in our new book 'Book of Changes - Deciphered' ➚.