I Ching Hexagram 42 - Increase
Description and interpretations of I Ching (Yijing) hexagram 42 "Increase"
益 - Yì
Phong Lôi Ích
Increase
Upper (Outer) Trigram: ☴ Xun, Wind
Lower (Inner) Trigram: ☳ Zhen, Thunder
Other Titles: The Symbol of Addition, Gain, Augmenting, Help from Above, Benefit, Advantage, Profit, Expansion.
English Translations & Interpretations
The Judgement
Wilhelm/Baynes: Increase. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water.
Legge: Increase denotes advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken -- it will be advantageous even to cross the great stream.
Blofeld: Gain. It is favorable to have in view some goal (or destination) and to cross the great water (or sea).
Liu: Increase. It is of benefit to set forth. It is of benefit to cross the great water.
Shaughnessy: Increase: Beneficial herewith to have someplace to go; beneficial to find the great river.
Cleary: For Increase, it is beneficial to go somewhere; it is beneficial to cross great rivers.
Wu: Gain indicates an advantage in having undertakings and in crossing a big river.
The Image
Wilhelm/Baynes: Wind and thunder: the image of Increase. Thus the superior man: if he sees good, he imitates it; if he has faults, he rids himself of them.
Legge: Wind over thunder -- the image of Increase. When the superior man perceives good, he moves toward it; when he perceives his faults, he eliminates them.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes wind and thunder. The Superior Man, seeing what is good, imitates it; seeing what is bad, he corrects it.
Liu: Wind and thunder symbolize Increase. When the superior man discovers good, he follows it. When he has errors, he corrects them.
Cleary: Wind and thunder increase. Thus do superior people take to good when they see it, and correct whatever faults they have.
Wu: Wind and thunder make Gain. Thus, when the jun zi sees a good deed, he improves his own at once; when he realizes he is making a mistake, he corrects it at once.
Line 1
初九: 利用為大作, 元吉, 无咎．
Wilhelm/Baynes: It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.
Legge: The first line, dynamic, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject in his position to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him.
Blofeld: The time is favorable for undertaking great works -- sublime good fortune and no error!
Liu: It is beneficial to undertake a great enterprise. Sublime good fortune. No blame.
Shaughnessy: Beneficial herewith to do the great creation; prime auspiciousness; there is no trouble.
Cleary (1): It is beneficial to act so as to do great work: this is very auspicious and blameless.
Cleary (2): It is beneficial to undertake to do great work. If it turns out very well, there is no blame.
Wu: It is beneficial to do farming. There is great fortune, no error.
Line 2
六二: 或益之十朋之龜 弗克違, 永貞吉．王用享于帝, 吉．
Wilhelm/Baynes: 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.
Legge: The second line, magnetic, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let her persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the ruler, having the virtues thus distinguished, employ them in presenting her offerings to God, and there will be good fortune.
Blofeld: There was one who enriched him to the extent of ten PENG or tortoise shells (2,100 of them) and who would accept no refusal -- unwavering persistence in a righteous course brings good fortune! The King sacrificed to the Supreme Lord of Heaven [From the point of view of divination, this can be taken to mean that we are about to benefit either from our earlier devotions or from some sacrifice either to moral principles or to the public good.] -- good fortune!
Liu: Someone enriches him with twenty tortoises. He cannot refuse. Perpetual continuance brings good fortune. The king makes a presentation to God. Good fortune.
Shaughnessy: Someone increases it by ten double-strands of turtles; you cannot deflect it; permanent determination is auspicious. The king uses aromatic grass to Di; auspicious.
Cleary (1): One gains ten sets of tortoise shells, and none can oppose. Perpetual correctness is auspicious. It is good for the king to serve the lord.
Cleary (2): … It bodes well to be always correct. It bodes well for the king to make offerings to God.
Wu: He may be presented with ten pairs of tortoise shells and may not decline the gift. Being constantly persevering is auspicious. The king makes offerings to the Supreme Being in heaven. Auspicious.
Line 3
六三: 益之用凶事, 无咎．有孚中行, 告公用圭．
Wilhelm/Baynes: 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.
Legge: The third line, magnetic, shows increase given to its subject by means of what is evil, so that she shall be led to good, and be without blame. Let her be sincere and pursue the path of the Mean, so shall she secure the recognition of the ruler, like an officer who announces herself to her prince by the symbol of her rank.
Blofeld: He used an unfortunate means to gain something; but, as he acted in all sincerity, he was not to blame. Walking in the center (of the hall) to report to the Prince, he carried his jade tablet of office. [The additional Chinese commentaries declared that the jade tablet is a symbol of our being able to give an assurance of our faithfulness.]
Liu: He is enriched by unfortunate affairs. No blame, if you are sincere and moderate in your conduct, and report to the officials for the record.
Shaughnessy: Increase it, using work service; there is no trouble. There is a return in the middle of the ranks reporting to the duke using a tessera.
Cleary (1): Using unfortunate events to gain increase is blameless. Acting in a moderate, balanced way with sincerity and truthfulness, public announcement uses the imperial seal.
Cleary (2): Enhancement through unfortunate events is blameless. Sincere and balanced in action, one presents impartial use of authority.
Wu: He experiences increasing misfortune, but this is blameless. He proceeds with confidence and reports to his prince by holding a tablet in his hands.
Line 4
六四: 中行, 告公從．利用為依遷國．
Wilhelm/Baynes: 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.
Legge: The fourth line, magnetic, shows its subject pursuing the due course. Her advice to her prince is followed. She can with advantage be relied on in such a movement as that of removing the capital.
Blofeld: He walked up the center of the hall and informed the Prince of his fealty. It is favorable to be entrusted with the task of removing the capital.
Liu: If you are moderate in your conduct, people will follow you. It is beneficial to be dependent or move to a new place.
Shaughnessy: In the middle of the ranks reporting to the duke to follow; beneficial herewith to make a family and to transfer the state.
Cleary (1): When balanced action is openly expressed, the public follows. It is beneficial to use a support to move the nation.
Cleary (2): Balanced action openly expressed is followed impartially. It is beneficial to use this as a basis to move the center of operations.
Wu: When his approach is central, the prince will value his counsel. It will be beneficial to counsel the prince on relocating the capital.
Line 5
九五: 有孚, 惠心, 勿周, 元吉．有孚, 惠我德．
Wilhelm/Baynes: If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.
Legge: The fifth line, dynamic, shows its subject with sincere heart seeking to benefit all below. There need be no question about it; the result will be great good fortune. All below will with sincere heart acknowledge his goodness.
Blofeld: Be confident (or sincere) and kind, but refrain from asking questions and you will enjoy sublime good fortune. Faithfulness (or sincerity) and confidence are virtues proper to us.
Liu: If you are sincere and benevolent in your heart, without consulting, there will be great good fortune. People will trust your benevolent character.
Shaughnessy: There is a return with a kind heart; do not question it; prime auspiciousness. There is a return that treats kindly my virtue.
Cleary (1): When there is truthfulness and a benevolent heart, there is no need to ask – it is very auspicious. Truthfulness and benevolence are charismatic qualities in oneself.
Cleary (2): There is sincerity to benefit the mind. Do not ask – it is very auspicious. There is sincerity granting one’s rewards.
Wu: Having confidence in his people and being benevolent-hearted, he enjoys great auspiciousness without asking for it. His people return his kindly virtue by placing their confidence in him.
Line 6
上九: 莫益之或擊之．立心勿恆, 凶．
Wilhelm/Baynes: He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.
Legge: The sixth line, dynamic, shows us one to whose increase none will contribute, while many will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart. There will be evil.
Blofeld: He did not attempt to benefit them and someone struck him for his inconstancy of heart -- misfortune!
Liu: He benefits no one. Someone will attack him. His mind is not consistent. Misfortune.
Shaughnessy: No one increases it, someone hits it; establishing the heart but not making it constant; inauspicious.
Cleary (1): Don’t increase here, or you may be attacked. If determination is inconsistent, that brings misfortune.
Cleary (2): None benefit one here; they may attack one. Do not persist in this attitude, for that would lead to misfortune.
Wu: People do not add to his coffer. They may even assail him. He sets no consistent course of action. Foreboding.
Notes
For an in-depth glossary of I Ching, click here.
Hexagram 42 represents addition or increase. This is a good time to undertake new projects. One has to be familiar with the wisdom of giving in order to benefit others.
Your luck will improve if your success prompts a sense of generosity towards others. Imitate good practices and correct the bad ones.
In business, it is time for expansion. This period does not last forever, so make the most of it.
