Hexagram 41 · Decrease

损 · Sǔn

Hexagram 41, Decrease (损, Sǔn), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Lake below and Mountain above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用？二簋可用享。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with decrease — giving up in order to balance. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Lake (兑) — joy and open exchange
Upper trigram: Mountain (艮) — stillness and knowing when to stop
Symbol: ䷨ · Name: 损 (Sǔn) · Number: 41 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yang) (初九)
   已事遄往，无咎；酌损之。
   The Image says: “已事遄往”，尚合志也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   利贞，征凶；弗损益之。
   The Image says: 九二“利贞”，中以为志也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   三人行，则损一人；一人行，则得其友。
   The Image says: “一人行”，三则疑也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   损其疾，使遄有喜，无咎。
   The Image says: “损其疾”，亦可喜也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   或益之十朋之龟，弗克违，元吉。
   The Image says: 六五“元吉”，自上祐也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   弗损益之，无咎。贞吉，利有攸往，得臣无家。
   The Image says: “弗损益之”，大得志也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 41?

Hexagram 41 is Decrease (损, Sǔn), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Lake below and Mountain above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Decrease?

The judgment of Decrease reads, in the Chinese original: “有孚，元吉，无咎，可贞，利有攸往。曷之用？二簋可用享。”. Its Great Image reads: “山下有泽，损。君子以惩忿窒欲。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Decrease symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Decrease is associated with decrease — giving up in order to balance. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.