䷩ Increase yì
Core Meaning
The Hexagram of Increase reveals the wisdom of augmentation. True increase comes from the correct direction and method. The Hexagram of Increase emphasizes: when receiving help, act greatly, 'It is advantageous to undertake great enterprises,' seizing opportunities to expand; benevolence comes naturally, 'ten pairs of tortoise shells' (sincerity) will surely bring blessings; apply it in times of peril, 'Increase used in unfortunate affairs,' augmentation should be used crucially; advice is adopted, 'report to the Duke who follows,' good counsel is accepted; generosity wins the people's hearts, 'with sincerity and a benevolent heart,' truly giving without expecting return; greed inevitably brings misfortune, 'if the heart is not constant,' greed invites attack. The wisdom of Increase lies in: seeing good, one moves towards it, constantly learning and progressing; having faults, one corrects them, correcting mistakes to improve oneself; taking from the upper to benefit the lower, leaders cede benefits to the people; acting in accordance with the times, seizing opportunities and following the trend. In today's competitive society, the spirit of the Increase hexagram is even more needed: self-improvement, benefiting self and others, and seizing opportunities.
The Judgment
It is advantageous to have a destination. It is advantageous to cross the great river.
Interpretation:
The Hexagram of Increase symbolizes augmentation; it is beneficial to move forward and act, beneficial to cross great rivers and overcome obstacles. By benefiting those below at the expense of those above, the people's hearts are greatly pleased. Wind and thunder mutually aid each other, progressing boundless. Heaven and Earth foster growth, and its benefits are limitless.
The Image
Wind and thunder, Increase; The superior person, seeing good, moves towards it; having faults, he corrects them.
Structure
The Hexagram of Increase has Thunder below and Wind above. Thunder is below, Wind is above, forming the image of Wind and Thunder Increasing. Wind and thunder surge, their momentum ever-increasing, all things sprout and grow; this is the climate of 'Increase'. Increase is the opposite of Decrease. Decrease is about taking from the lower to benefit the upper, while Increase is about taking from the upper to benefit the lower. 'Reducing from the upper to benefit the lower, the people are endlessly pleased'. The ruler reduces their own benefits for the people. The lower trigram Thunder moves, and the upper trigram Wind is yielding. Moving and yieldingly compliant, progress is boundless. 'Seeing good, one moves towards it; having faults, one corrects them' – this is the method of self-increase. Increase is not merely receiving; it is gaining growth through correct methods. The Hexagram of Increase emphasizes bestowing favor upon the people, self-improvement, and seizing opportunities.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial Nine: It is advantageous to undertake great enterprises; supreme good, no blame.
Six Two: Some increase him; even ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot oppose it. Perpetual perseverance brings good fortune. The King offers sacrifices to God; good fortune.
Six Three: Increase used in unfortunate affairs; no blame. With sincerity in the middle way, report to the Duke with a jade tablet.
Six Four: In the middle way, report to the Duke who follows. It is advantageous to use this for moving the state.
Nine Five: With sincerity and a benevolent heart, ask not; supreme good. With sincerity, he benefits my virtue.
Top Nine: None to increase him, some may strike him. If the heart is not constant, ill fortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career increase requires seizing opportunities. When opportunities arise, act boldly, 'It is advantageous to undertake great enterprises,' seize them to expand capabilities. Favor will come naturally, 'ten pairs of tortoise shells' implies sincere work will be rewarded, 'perpetual perseverance brings good fortune' for long-term consistency. Act crucially when needed, 'Increase used in unfortunate affairs,' proving oneself in crises. Give appropriate advice, 'in the middle way, report to the Duke who follows' means balanced advice can be adopted. As a leader, show benevolence, 'with sincerity and a benevolent heart,' genuinely treating subordinates, and 'he benefits my virtue' means people will be grateful and reciprocate. The greatest taboo is insatiable greed, 'if the heart is not constant,' avarice will inevitably invite attack. Remember: 'seeing good, one moves towards it' means continuous learning and progress, 'having faults, one corrects them' means timely correction of errors, and 'it is advantageous to cross the great river' means daring to face challenges.
❤️ Relationships
Emotional increase requires sincere treatment. Cherish love when received, 'It is advantageous to undertake great enterprises,' diligently nurture the relationship. Sincerity will be reciprocated, 'ten pairs of tortoise shells' means sincere effort will surely be rewarded. True affection is revealed in adversity, 'Increase used in unfortunate affairs,' true feelings are more evident in difficulties. Communication should be balanced, 'in the middle way, report to the Duke who follows' means reasonable requests will be accepted. Be genuinely kind to others, 'with sincerity and a benevolent heart,' sincere care without expecting return, and the other person will 'benefit my virtue' in gratitude. The greatest fear is excessive greed, 'if the heart is not constant,' wanting too much will inevitably lead to failure. Remember: 'seeing good, one moves towards it' means learning from the other's strengths, 'having faults, one corrects them' means correcting one's own shortcomings, promoting mutual growth.
🎯 Decision Making
Decisions must seize the opportune moment for increase. 'The time for Increase is truly great!' The timing of increase is crucial. Seize opportunities when they arise, 'It is advantageous to undertake great enterprises,' act when the time is right. Sincerity brings blessings, 'ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot oppose it' means integrity will be rewarded. Use resources crucially, 'Increase used in unfortunate affairs,' directing resources to where they are most needed. Advice should be reasonable, 'in the middle way, report to the Duke who follows' means sound proposals are easily accepted. Bestow favor sincerely, 'with sincerity and a benevolent heart,' genuine giving without expecting return. Avoid greed, 'if the heart is not constant,' an unstable mind will inevitably lead to misfortune. Remember: 'seeing good, one moves towards it' means learning good experiences, 'having faults, one corrects them' means timely correction of errors, 'taking from the upper to benefit the lower' means ceding benefits to others, and 'acting in accordance with the times' means adapting to circumstances.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest warning of the Increase hexagram is insatiable greed. 'If the heart is not constant' is most dangerous; an unstable, avaricious mind leads to 'none to increase him, some may strike him' – no one helps you, instead attacking. Be wary of: not cherishing opportunities, being ungrateful for favors but instead greedy, not exerting effort at crucial moments, giving unbalanced advice leading to resentment, and bestowing favor for return, thus losing sincerity. Remember: Increase requires 'sincerity' as its foundation, Increase requires 'the middle way' to be balanced and reasonable, Increase must be used in the right place and not wasted. True Increase is 'taking from the upper to benefit the lower' by ceding benefits to others, 'seeing good, one moves towards it' for continuous progress, and 'having faults, one corrects them' for self-improvement. When Increase reaches its extreme, it turns to Decrease; know when to stop.
Applicable Scenarios
The Increase hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
Duke Huan of Qi's nine alliances with the feudal lords embody the wisdom of the Increase hexagram. Under the guidance of Guan Zhong, Duke Huan 'benefited those below at the expense of those above' by reducing taxes, gaining the people's support. He 'advantageously undertook great enterprises,' seizing opportunities to dominate. With 'sincerity and a benevolent heart,' he commanded respect through virtue, uniting the feudal lords, and 'they benefited his virtue' as the lords were grateful. He 'used Increase in unfortunate affairs,' aiding states invaded by the Rongdi barbarians. 'In the middle way, he reported to the Duke who followed,' as Guan Zhong's advice was always adopted. He 'saw good and moved towards it,' learning from the strengths of various states, and 'having faults, he corrected them,' timely correcting errors. He was not avaricious, unlike 'one whose heart is not constant,' but rather 'venerated the King and expelled the barbarians,' maintaining the Zhou dynasty. He 'advantageously crossed the great river' in numerous campaigns. This precisely demonstrates the wisdom of the Increase hexagram: benefiting those below at the expense of those above wins the people's hearts, seeing good and moving towards it leads to continuous progress, having faults and correcting them ensures timely improvement, and sincere bestowal of favor brings allegiance from all under heaven.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Increase hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: