Hexagram 41
Decrease - Mountain over Lake
损
Meaning and Overview
The hexagram Decrease has the upper trigram Gen, representing mountain, and the lower trigram Dui, representing lake. In terms of the changes in the hexagram's image, what is called 'decrease'... The lower hexagram benefits the upper, diminishing the lake to augment the mountain, thus symbolizing the reduction of the lower to benefit the higher. However, the principle of diminution lies in reducing excess to supplement deficiency, not in exploiting the people to serve the ruler. Hence the hexagram statement says: "Diminution combined with sincerity leads to supreme good fortune," indicating that when reduction is timely and appropriate, it is in fact a form of gain—this is the profound intention of the sage in establishing this hexagram.
Chinese Interpretation
《损》卦上卦为艮，为山，下卦为兑，为泽。就卦的卦象变化来说，所谓损下益上，损泽以益山，故有损下益上之象。然损之道，贵在损有余而补不足，非损民以奉君也。故卦辞曰“损而有孚，元吉”，言损之当其时、当其分，则虽损而实益，此圣人制卦之深意。
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.
有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用？二簋可用享。
阳爻之间互相信任，大吉，没有过错，利于正道行事，利于前往。用什么来祭祀呢？只要两盒简单的祭品祭祀神灵，就可获得神灵的保佑。
With sincerity, supreme good fortune, no blame, it is favorable to be steadfast, and advantageous to have somewhere to go. What is to be used? Two small bowls may be used for the offering.
Mutual trust among the yang lines brings great good fortune, no fault, and is favorable for acting in accordance with the right path and for proceeding. What to use for sacrifice? Only two simple vessels of offerings to the spirits will obtain their blessing.
初九，已事遄往，无咎，酌损之。
初九爻，已经祭祀了神灵，可以速往，没有过错，可以酌情而减损阳爻。
The first nine: When the affair is over, hasten to go forward. No blame. But let it be considered how much shall be diminished.
The first nine line: Having already made the offering to the spirits, one may hasten forward without fault, and may diminish the yang line as appropriate.
九二，利贞，征凶。弗损，益之。
九二爻，利于稳定，轻举妄动会有凶险。不用减损，会有人来帮助。
The second nine: It is favorable to be steadfast. To undertake an expedition brings misfortune. But if there be no decrease, there will be increase.
The second nine line: It is favorable to remain stable; rash action brings danger. Without decreasing, someone will come to help.
六三，三人行，则损一人；一人行，则得其友。
六三爻，三人一起行路，可以减少一人。一个人前往，就可以得到朋友。
The third six: When three men walk together, one is diminished; when one man walks alone, he finds a companion.
The third six line: When three people walk together, one may be reduced; when one person goes alone, he will gain a friend.