Ancient Core
【Judgment】
Yì: It is favorable to go somewhere; it is favorable to cross the great river.
【Image】Wind and thunder: the image of Yi. The noble person, following it, moves toward the good when they see it and corrects their faults when they have them.
Overview
【Brief Meaning】
Increase. Expansion and altruism. Flourishing by benefiting others and seizing the momentum of growth through tireless self-improvement.
GrowthBenefiting othersActionProgress
Modern Analogy
【Modern Insight】
Like the month your raise comes through: you could spend it, or you could save half the difference first. Six months later, those who chose the latter are glad they did.
Practical Application
【Practical Case】
The momentum is with you. If you have ambitious plans, launch them immediately (like crossing a great river). This is a golden period for starting businesses, overseas mergers and acquisitions, large-scale philanthropy, or profound self-improvement. Help your subordinates and your community. When you give to the greater good, the greater good elevates you. Your kindness is your most powerful leverage. Don't hesitate—go for it!
✍ Author's Commentary
Below is my personal interpretation and observation of this hexagram.
Yi speaks of the power of addition. Wind and thunder inspire each other, full of vitality. This hexagram reminds us: true benefit is built on the foundation of benefiting others. When you are willing to share resources with those below, the entire structure becomes incomparably stable and energized. This is a period for cultivating decisiveness and a grand vision.
【Changing Lines】Line Texts & Philosophical Interpretation
Nine at the Beginning
It is favorable to undertake great works: sublime good fortune, no fault.
[Bearing the Mandate] Favorable to undertake great deeds; supreme good fortune, no blame. At the beginning of the era of increase, embrace opportunities with full courage, acting boldly. This is the best time given by heaven.
Favorable to undertake great deeds, supreme good fortune, no blame. The first line of Yi speaks of using the power of increase on great undertakings—in times of increase, do not waste energy on minor things, but focus on the most important tasks. 'Great deeds' mean major creations or projects. Do you have a major cause to apply your increase to?
Six in the Second
Someone increases it with a tortoise shell worth ten strings of cowries, and it cannot be refused. Lasting steadiness brings good fortune. The king makes an offering to the Supreme Being: good fortune.
[Resonant Sincerity] Sensing with true sincerity, ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose this increase. Eternal correctness brings good fortune. The king uses this to present before God; good fortune. True sincerity resonates with the cosmos, drawing increase.
Someone increases him, ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it; eternal correctness brings good fortune. The king presents before God, good fortune. This line speaks of the highest blessing of Yi—your increase is divinely supported, and nothing can block it. This increase has reached the highest level.
Six in the Third
Increase comes through misfortune: no fault. With sincerity, walking the middle path, one reports to the duke bearing a jade tablet.
[Growth through Crisis] Finding opportunities for increase even in disastrous events, without blame. Walk in the middle with sincerity, and report to the prince with a jade seal. Finding opportunities in crisis is the essence of resilient growth.
Using increase to handle disastrous events, no blame. Walk in the middle with sincerity, reporting to the prince with a seal. This line speaks of an unexpected side of Yi—increase can be used to handle disasters, because difficult times require resources. Predicaments need increase to resolve, which is not an issue.
Six in the Fourth
Walking the middle path, one reports to the duke, and he follows. It is favorable to be relied upon in moving the capital.
[Altruistic Decisions] Walking in the middle and reporting to the prince, who will follow. Favorable to be relied upon in moving the capital. Making key decisions with altruistic patterns leads to collective elevation.
Walk in the middle, report to the prince, and he follows. Favorable for reliance, even moving the capital. This line speaks of the power of increase—increasing in the middle path, reporting upward, gaining support, and undertaking major shifts. Yi's power can be used for the greatest changes at the right time.
Nine in the Fifth
With sincerity and a kind heart, there is no need to ask: sublime good fortune. Sincerity rewards my virtue with kindness.
[Selfless Love] Having a sincere heart that benefits others, do not ask; supreme good fortune. Sincerity will make them recognize your virtue. When goodwill becomes natural, good fortune comes unsought, and the universe's increase arrives.
A sincere heart that benefits others, do not ask; supreme good fortune. Sincerity benefits my virtue. This line speaks of the simplest state of Yi—benefiting others with sincerity, without calculation or questioning, is auspicious. 'Do not ask; supreme good fortune' speaks of intuitive, unconfirmed benevolence.
Nine at the Top
No one increases him; someone may strike him. His heart is not constant: misfortune.
[Strikes of Greed] Bringing increase to no one, and indeed someone strikes him. Not keeping his heart constant brings misfortune. A greedy person loses the spirit of sharing and faces isolation and attacks, warning against departing from the path of increase.
Increases no one, indeed someone strikes him; heart not constant, misfortune. The end of Yi is the deepest warning—at the highest point, no one gives you increase, and someone starts to attack. If your mind is unstable, it is misfortune. In the best of times, constancy is needed most. Is your mind constant when things are best?
In-Depth Guidance for Hexagram 42 – Increase
◈ The following interpretations draw on I Ching cultural wisdom and classical philosophy — for cultural study and personal reflection only, not medical, legal, or financial advice ◈
💑 Love & Relationships
Yi is about increase, and in love it is a time when both people are willing to give a little more and each becomes better for it. Now is the best time to bring increase to your feelings.
Take the initiative to do things that enrich the relationship—shared experiences, honest communication, and actions that make your partner feel valued.
If you have a partner, think about what genuine increase you have given them recently. Yi also tells us: emotional increase is mutual; your investment increases the relationship, and its increase in turn benefits you.
Growing together in love is one of the most beautiful gifts.
💼 Career & Leadership
Yi is "decreasing above to increase below," with resources flowing downward, and at work it marks a moment when opportunities arrive and you can expand boldly.
Boldly invest in your own capabilities and projects; right now is the period of highest returns.
Reinvest a portion of your returns into skill enhancement and resource building to keep the increase rolling. Yi reminds us: the best increase is not just financial, but also the growth of capabilities, network, and influence—these invisible capitals will continue to yield returns in every subsequent period.
💰 Money & Risk
Yi is a time of increase, and its image says to move toward the good when you see it and correct faults when you have them. Financially, this is a good moment to adjust habits: when income rises, raise your savings rate with it, and use the extra room to fix past mistakes.
The top line warns that when no one is increased and one only wants more for oneself, someone may strike: gathering without sharing invites harm.
🏠 Family & Home Life
Yi, increase, is a good period in which both resources and affection at home are growing.
Take advantage of the excellent family state to make long-term plans that require resources and time.
Offer genuine encouragement and support to every family member, letting everyone feel they gain from the family. Yi teaches us: the most beautiful family state is when everyone grows within it because family support makes everyone more fulfilled.
This is the best manifestation of Yi in the home.
🌿 Rhythm & Rest
Yi is increase, a good time to add a habit that helps body and mind. The image says to move toward the good: when you hear good advice, try it, whether that's regular exercise, a relaxation technique, or a standing date with friends.
Adding it while you're in good shape makes it easier to keep.
✨ The Overall Situation
Effort put in now tends to grow. This is a good time for proactive action.
The logic of Yi: increase can be actively created, not just passively awaited. Actively enrich yourself, enrich the relationships you care about, and invest resources in the most valuable places.
Yi also teaches us: true increase is letting others receive increase too—when your presence makes everyone around you more fulfilled, that is the most complete expression of Yi.
Related hexagrams
This is hexagram 42 of 64, number 12 of the 34 hexagrams in the Lower Canon. See The Upper and Lower Canon for why the sequence is split this way.
Keep reading
Overall Life Guidance
Seize the good moment and benefit all people. Keep refining yourself as you grow. When your presence becomes a blessing to others, you will be abundantly full forever.