Hexagram 41: Decrease (損 Sǔn) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 41 (損 Decrease)?

I Ching Hexagram 41, 損 (Sǔn), represents Decrease. It is formed by Mountain (艮 Gèn) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its 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...'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 41 mean?

The Image states: 'At the foot of the mountain, the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 41 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how Decrease manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 41 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 41 (Decrease) follows Hexagram 40 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

損

Sǔn — Hexagram 41

Decrease

Mountain (艮 Gèn) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 41, 損 (Sǔn), represents Decrease. Formed by Mountain (艮 Gèn) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below, this hexagram teaches about decrease. The core message: 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.

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 41 is formed by Mountain (艮 Gèn) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving

The 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.

— I Ching, Decrease

The Image

At the foot of the mountain, the lake: the image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.

Line 2: Line 2: Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others.

Line 3: Line 3: When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, he finds a companion.

Line 4: Line 4: If a man decreases his faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame.

Line 5: Line 5: Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.

Line 6: Line 6: If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home.

Modern Application

Hexagram 41 teaches the paradoxical wisdom that decrease can lead to increase. The mountain above the lake represents reduction — the lake's water evaporates to nourish the mountain. The hexagram describes how controlled loss, sacrifice, and simplification create space for growth. The image of using two small bowls instead of elaborate sacrifice shows that sincerity matters more than quantity. In modern life, Decrease applies to minimalism, budgeting, fasting, letting go of toxic relationships, and the spiritual discipline of simplifying desire to find what truly matters.

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