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I Ching hexagram 42, Yi
Hexagram 42

Yi

Growth and Increase

Classical name: Yi

When you receive Hexagram 42, Yi, the I Ching turns your attention to growth and increase. Increase. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.

The Judgment

Increase. Advantage in every undertaking. Advantage even in crossing the great stream.

Classical (Legge)Yi indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream.

The Image

Wind and thunder. Yi. The centered one, seeing what is good, moves toward it. Seeing his errors, he turns from them.

Classical (Legge)(The trigrams for) wind and thunder form Yi. The superior man, in accordance with this, when he sees what is good, moves towards it; and when he sees his errors, he turns from them.

The Changing Lines

Nine at the beginning

Advantage in making a great move. If it brings great fortune, no blame.

Classical (Legge)It will be advantageous for (the subject of this line) to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him.

Six in the second place

Someone indeed increases him. Ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot oppose it. Let him hold firm and correct. Good fortune. Let the king present his offerings to heaven. Good fortune.

Classical (Legge)Someone does indeed increase him; ten pairs of tortoise shells (whose oracles) cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the king, (having the virtues thus distinguished,) employ them in presenting his offerings to God, and there will be good fortune.

Six in the third place

He is increased through misfortune, so that he is led to good, if he is sincere. Let him walk the middle way and bear the prince's jade token. No error.

Classical (Legge)He is increased by means of what is evil, so that he shall (be led to good) — if he be sincere. Let him pursue the course of the Mean, and let him bear the prince's commission in the form of a jade token. There will be no error.

Six in the fourth place

If he follows the proper course, his counsel to the prince will be heard. Advantage in undertaking something great, like the moving of a capital.

Classical (Legge)If he pursue the due course, (his advice to) the prince will be followed. It will be advantageous, (being relied on), to make the removal (of the capital, or of anything else) on a great scale.

Nine in the fifth place

A sincere heart, seeking no advantage for itself. Great good fortune. All recognize his sincerity as the natural goodness of his heart.

Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line) has a sincere heart, and is not seeking his own advantage. There will be great good fortune. All will recognise his sincerity as a benevolent (tendency of his heart).

Nine at the top

He gives increase to no one. Someone may even strike him. He does not keep his heart firm and correct. There will be misfortune.

Classical (Legge)He gives increase to nobody. Indeed, someone may smite him. He does not keep his heart constantly firm and correct. There will be evil.

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