Hexagram 42
Increase - Yi
益
Meaning and Overview
The upper trigram of the Yi hexagram is Xun (Wind), and the lower trigram is Zhen (Thunder). According to the conventions of the Zhouyi, when a yang trigram is placed below a yin trigram, it signifies the interaction of yin and yang energies, which is auspicious. The Xici II says: 'When Shennong arose, he cut wood to make the plowshare, and bent wood to make the plow handle. The benefits of plowing and weeding were taught to all under heaven, likely derived from the Yi hexagram.' Thus, the Yi hexagram is closely related to agricultural production: seeds are sown in spring, hard work is done in summer, and a great harvest is reaped in autumn. The first line (initial nine) says: 'It is beneficial to undertake great works. Supreme good fortune, no blame.' The lower trigram Zhen is yang, and its main line is the first line (initial nine). Therefore, the key to the entire hexagram lies in this line: spring has arrived, agricultural work can be accomplished greatly, bringing great fortune. In ancient times, Shennong had already invented advanced tools like the plow, and China entered the era of agricultural civilization early. The second line (six in the second) and the fifth line (nine in the fifth) are both central and correct, corresponding to each other in yin and yang, both auspicious. The Tuan commentary says: 'Diminishing the upper and increasing the lower, the people's joy is boundless.' Looking at the formation of the hexagram, the original hexagram was Pi (Stagnation), with the upper three lines being Qian (Heaven, yang) and the lower three lines being Kun (Earth, yin). Diminishing the upper and increasing the lower means that the fourth line (nine in the fourth) descends to the position of the first line (initial nine), and the first line (initial six) ascends to the position of the fourth line (six in the fourth). The Pi hexagram originally represented the blockage between heaven and earth, with yin and yang not communicating. When it transforms into Yi, yin and yang begin to flow and interact. Therefore, 'Heaven bestows and Earth gives birth, the increase is without limit.' Heaven and earth, yin and yang, transform and give birth, all things grow, thriving and full of vitality. Of course, extremes lead to reversal: if the top line (top nine) lacks constancy, it may turn to the opposite.
Chinese Interpretation
《益》卦上卦为巽为风，下卦为震为雷，按照《周易》的惯例，阳卦居于阴卦之下，是指阴阳二气相交，是好卦。《系辞下传》说：“神农氏作，斫木为耜，揉木为耒，耒耨之利，以教天下，盖取诸《益》。”可见，《益》卦是和农业生产有十分密切关系的卦，春天播下种子，夏天辛勤耕耘，秋天大有收获。《益》卦初九爻辞说“利用为大作，元吉，无咎”，下卦震是阳卦，震的主爻是初九，因此，整个卦的关键是初九爻，春天来了，农业生产，大有作为，大吉大利。上古时代，神农氏就已经发明耒耜等先进农具，中国很早就进入农业文明时代了。六二爻、九五爻都是中正之爻，阴阳相应，都很吉利。彖辞说：“损上益下，民说无疆。”从卦的形成过程来看，原来的卦是《否》卦，上面三爻为乾，为阳，下面三爻为坤，为阴。损上益下，就是说，九四爻往下居于初九爻位，初六爻上升居于六四爻位，《否》卦本来是天地否闭，阴阳不通，变成《益》卦，阴阳就往来交通了，因此，“天施地生，其益无方”，天地阴阳化生，万物生长，欣欣向荣，一派生机勃勃了。当然，物极必反，《益》卦上九如果没有恒心，可能会走向事情的反面。
Line Interpretations
These passages include the core hexagram statement, the six moving line texts, and traditional commentary where available. Read them as layered guidance: the early lines describe the root of the situation, while later lines reveal development, pressure, and outcome.
利有攸往，利涉大川。
利于前去行事，利于渡过大江大河。
It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. It is beneficial to cross great rivers.
It is favorable to proceed with actions, favorable to cross great rivers.
初九，利用为大作，元吉，无咎。
初九爻，上卦九四下降于初爻之位，正好可以趁此机会，大展宏图，大吉，没有过错。
Initial nine: It is beneficial to undertake great works. Supreme good fortune, no blame.
The first line (initial nine): The fourth line (nine in the fourth) of the upper trigram descends to the position of the first line. This is precisely the opportunity to make great achievements. Great good fortune, no fault.
六二，或益之十朋之龟，弗克违，永贞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
六二爻，有人送来了价值十朋的宝龟，不要违背这个好意，长久守正吉祥。君王用此祭祀上帝，吉祥。
Six in the second: Someone increases it with a tortoise worth ten pairs of cowries. Do not refuse it. Perseverance brings good fortune. The king uses it to sacrifice to the Lord. Good fortune.
The second line (six in the second): Someone presents a precious tortoise worth ten pairs of cowries. Do not reject this kindness. Long-term perseverance in correctness brings good fortune. The king uses it to sacrifice to the Supreme Lord. Good fortune.
六三，益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
六三爻，用增益来救助凶险之事，没有过错。心怀诚信，行中正之道，告知公侯并执圭为信。
Six in the third: Increase is used for calamitous events. No blame. With sincerity, act in the middle way. Inform the duke using a jade tablet.
The third line (six in the third): Use increase to aid in dangerous affairs. No fault. With sincerity in heart, practice the central and correct way. Inform the duke and hold a jade tablet as a token of trust.
六四，中行告公从，利用为依迁国。
六四爻，行中正之道，公侯听从其建议，利于借此迁移国都。
Six in the fourth: Acting in the middle way, inform the duke who follows. It is beneficial to rely on this for moving the capital.
The fourth line (six in the fourth): Practice the central and correct way. The duke follows the advice. It is favorable to use this to relocate the capital.
九五，有孚惠心，勿问元吉。有孚惠我德。
九五爻，有诚信惠及天下之心，不必占问也是大吉。有诚信惠及我的德行。
Nine in the fifth: With sincerity, have a beneficent heart. Do not ask; supreme good fortune. With sincerity, benefit my virtue.
The fifth line (nine in the fifth): Have a sincere heart that benefits all under heaven. No need to divine; it is supremely auspicious. Sincerity benefits my virtue.
上九，莫益之，或击之，立心勿恒，凶。
上九爻，没有人增益他，反而有人攻击他，立心不恒久，凶险。
Top nine: No one increases it. Some strike it. If the heart is not constant, misfortune.
The top line (top nine): No one increases him; instead, some attack him. If the heart is not constant, there is danger.