Decrease
损 (Sǔn)
Hexagram #41
Hexagram Structure
Upper Trigram
Mountain
Lower Trigram
Lake
Core Essence
Keywords
Meaning
Represents the wisdom of voluntary decrease and simplification for greater good.
Guidance
Sometimes less is more. Voluntary sacrifice and simplification can lead to greater fulfillment.
Classical Texts
Judgment
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame. One may be persevering in this. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out? One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.
损：有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用，二簋可用享。
Image
At the foot of the mountain, the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.
山下有泽，损；君子以惩忿窒欲。
Hexagram Story & Origin
The Decrease hexagram teaches us the wisdom of appropriate reduction. 'Sun' means decrease and loss, but sometimes loss leads to greater gain. The story of the old man losing his horse embodies the philosophy of the Sun hexagram. The Sun hexagram teaches us: one must give to receive; we should learn to give up some things at appropriate times to make way for more important goals.
Detailed Analysis
Chat with AI Master
Explore the wisdom of Decrease hexagram with our AI I Ching master