Hexagram 42 of the I Ching: Yi (increase), Increase (益), meaning and lines
Yi (increase), Increase: Wind above Thunder. An image of benefit coming down from above and enriching everyone, for great undertakings.
Key points
| Number | 42 of 64 (King Wen sequence) |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | Yi (益) |
| Approximate pronunciation | “ee” |
| Lower trigram | ☳ Zhen, Thunder |
| Upper trigram | ☴ Xun, Wind (Wood) |
| Lines (bottom to top) | yang, yin, yin, yin, yang, yang |
| Opposite hexagram | No. 32, Heng, Duration |
| Other names | Growth, Benefit, Profit |
Hexagram 42 at a glance
Yi (益) is the 42nd hexagram of the I Ching. The character means “to increase, to profit”. It should not be confused with No. 27, Yi (頤), “the jaws”, which is pronounced the same way in pinyin. It is translated as “Increase”, “Growth” or “Benefit”.
The figure is the counterpart of Decrease (No. 41): here, the strength from above adds to the resources below.
The two trigrams
A hexagram is read from bottom to top. The lower trigram, called the lower or inner one, is Zhen (Thunder); the upper trigram, called the upper or outer one, is Xun (Wind (Wood)). The bottom represents the base of the situation, the top its context or outcome. Wind and Thunder reinforce each other. The image commentary says that the noble person, seeing good, turns toward it, and that if they have faults, they correct them.
Line diagram, from the first to the sixth: yang, yin, yin, yin, yang, yang. In the King Wen sequence, this hexagram forms a pair with No. 41, Sun, Decrease. Its opposite (all lines inverted) is No. 32, Heng, Duration, and its reverse (read from top to bottom) is No. 41, Sun, Decrease. Its nuclear hexagram, formed by the central lines, is No. 23, Bo, Splitting Apart.
The judgment, in brief
The judgment is brief: it is favorable to set out and to cross the great river. These are two images of ambitious undertaking.
The tradition adds that the one who receives must show gratitude through great works. Increase is an opportunity, not a passive gift.
General meaning
Yi describes an inflow: support, opportunity, resources arriving. It shows that increase is most useful when it is put at the service of a shared project rather than kept for oneself.
The text also reminds us that gain carries responsibility: sincerity, measure, gratitude. Help that meets no good faith is lost, as the last line shows.
The six lines, one by one
Lines are counted from bottom to top. These very short paraphrases do not replace reading a full translation.
| Line | Image and idea |
|---|---|
| 1 (yang) | This is the time for great works: a very auspicious sign, without fault. |
| 2 (yin) | Someone adds ten pairs of tortoise shells: it cannot be refused; the king makes an offering to the Lord on high. |
| 3 (yin) | Increase even comes through hard times, without fault; one remains sincere and reports to the duke while holding a jade tablet. |
| 4 (yin) | Walking at the centre and being heard by the duke: this leads to moving the capital, that is, to a great change. |
| 5 (yang) | A sincere and kindly heart: no need to ask, very favorable; virtue is recognised. |
| 6 (yang) | No one increases what belongs to you, and someone strikes you: an inconstant heart leads to failure. |
Moving lines and the resulting hexagram
A moving line (a total of 6 or 9 when the three coins are cast) changes into its opposite and gives a second hexagram, the resulting hexagram, which describes the direction the situation is taking. Here, lines 1, 5 and 6 are yang, and lines 2, 3 and 4 are yin. The solid lines 1, 5 and 6: line 1 receives the impetus; line 5, the ruling line, is generous toward those below. The broken lines 2, 3 and 4 are those of reception.
| If the moving line is | Resulting hexagram |
|---|---|
| 1 (yang becomes yin) | No. 20, Guan, Contemplation |
| 2 (yin becomes yang) | No. 61, Zhong Fu, Inner Truth |
| 3 (yin becomes yang) | No. 37, Jia Ren, The Family |
| 4 (yin becomes yang) | No. 25, Wu Wang, Innocence |
| 5 (yang becomes yin) | No. 27, Yi (nourish), The Corners of the Mouth |
| 6 (yang becomes yin) | No. 3, Zhun, Initial Difficulty |
Six moving lines give the opposite, No. 32, Heng, Duration. With several moving lines, schools of interpretation disagree on which one to give priority.
A modern reading, with caution
Yi accompanies favorable periods: support, funding, success, recognition. It encourages sharing and acting, rather than hoarding.
- At work: put reinforcements at the service of a shared project.
- In relationships: accept help and honour it with your own sincerity.
- For yourself: give thanks, and correct your faults when you see them.
Reminder: the I Ching is a book of wisdom and oracle, a tool for reflection and not a prediction; it does not replace medical, financial, legal or safety advice.
Questions to reflect on
- What is being given to me right now, and how can I make the best use of it?
- What am I correcting in my conduct?
- To whom can I return the kindness I have received?
- Have I been steadfast or inconstant in my commitments?
Mistakes to avoid
- Seeing a promise of gains: the I Ching predicts neither money nor luck.
- Keeping everything for yourself.
- Forgetting that help calls for sincerity.
Frequently asked questions
What does hexagram 42 of the I Ching mean?
Yi, Increase, describes an inflow of support that should serve great shared works.
Which trigrams make up Yi (42)?
Thunder (Zhen) below and Wind or Wood (Xun) above.
How does it differ from hexagram 27?
No. 27 is written 頤 and means “jaws, nourish”; No. 42 is written 益 and means “to increase”.
Which hexagram is paired with Yi?
No. 41, Sun, Decrease: what is withdrawn below is added above, and vice versa.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to The 64 hexagrams of the Yi King.