Hexagram 42
Yi / Increase
䷩
益 · Yì
Upper: Wind/Wood (Xun) · Lower: Thunder (Zhen)
Increase — wind above thunder, the active rising supported by penetrating wind. Growth and expansion; favorable conditions for major undertakings.
Core theme
Increase; growth; the active expansion supported by gentle penetration
Overview
Yi (different character from hexagram 27's Yi) is the complementary opposite of Sun (41). Where Sun is decrease, Yi is increase — growth, expansion, the favorable arrival of resources and opportunities. Wind above thunder — the active thunder rising while gentle wind penetrates everywhere; the combination produces broad expansion.
The hexagram is generally very favorable for major undertakings. "It furthers one to cross the great water" — substantial work is supported by current conditions. The wisdom: use the favorable time well; major undertakings now have the support they need; engaging actively with the increase produces lasting benefit.
The Judgment
Increase. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water.
The Image
Wind and thunder: the image of Increase. Thus the superior person: if they see good, they imitate it; if they have faults, they rid themselves of them.
Meaning
Yi teaches active engagement with increase. The Judgment's encouragement — undertake something, cross the great water — favors major engagement during the favorable time.
The Image's instruction is essential: see good and imitate it; see faults and rid them. The increase's energy supports both growth (imitating good) and clearing (ridding faults). Both directions of engagement use the favorable conditions well.
Application — when this hexagram appears
When this hexagram appears: conditions favor increase and major engagement. The practitioner should actively engage rather than passively enjoy.
The practitioner should: (1) recognize the favorable conditions and use them; (2) undertake major work that the conditions support; (3) imitate good — model successful patterns and people; (4) rid faults — use the energy to clear what has been holding back; (5) extend the increase generously to others.
The six lines (changing-line commentary)
Line 1 (bottom)
It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame. Major accomplishment is favored. Supreme good fortune from undertaking great deeds; no blame from the substantial action.
Line 2
Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune. Substantial increase that cannot be opposed; perseverance produces good fortune; the highest recognition (presented before God) results.
Line 3
One is enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere and walk in the middle, and report with a seal to the prince. Sometimes increase comes through difficulty — being enriched through unfortunate events. No blame if sincerity, middle path, and proper authority are maintained. Even unfortunate sources can be turned to good if handled with integrity.
Line 4
If you walk in the middle and report to the prince, he will follow. It furthers one to be used in the removal of the capital. Walking the middle path with proper communication produces influence. Specifically favorable for major changes (removing the capital — substantial transition).
Line 5
If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly the kindness will be recognized as your virtue. Genuine kindness needs no advocacy. Supreme good fortune from authentic kind-heartedness; recognition follows naturally.
Line 6 (top)
He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune. Failure mode: refusing to extend the increase to others while being struck oneself. Inconstant heart produces misfortune. The hexagram's warning about hoarding the increase rather than extending it.
Timing
Periods of growth and expansion; spring and early summer; the favorable expansion phases. Times of major undertakings.
FAQ
Should I undertake major work now?
Yes — the hexagram explicitly favors major undertakings. Conditions support significant engagement. Don't waste the favorable time; engage actively with what's possible now.
What does 'imitate good and rid faults' mean?
Active use of the increase's energy. Use favorable conditions both to grow (imitate successful patterns and people) and to clear (rid yourself of faults that have been holding back). Both directions; either alone is partial. The favorable energy supports comprehensive cultivation.
What if my increase came through bad luck?
Line 3's wisdom: sometimes increase comes through unfortunate events. Handle with integrity (sincerity, middle path, proper authority); the source can be transformed. Don't reject what came through difficulty if you can use it well; the integrity of the use matters more than the source.
Should I share my increase?
Yes — line 6 specifically warns against refusing to extend increase. Hoarding the favorable conditions produces misfortune; extending them to others produces sustained good fortune. The increase is most beneficial when it spreads.
How is this paired with Sun?
Sun (41) and Yi (42) form a complementary pair. Sun is voluntary decrease; Yi is active increase. Different moments call for different responses. The wisdom is recognizing which: when decrease serves, decrease; when increase serves, engage with growth. Both are real practices for their respective moments.
Astrological correspondence
Element
wood
Wind/Wood (Xun) above Thunder (Zhen) — the trigram pair carries Chinese five-phase (wuxing) elemental correspondences that anchor the hexagram in elemental cycles.