I Ching · Hexagram 41 of 64
41. Sǔn 損 · Decrease
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Simplify. Less can bring more.
- Upper trigram
- Mountain 艮
- Lower trigram
- Lake 兌
What hexagram 41 means
Sǔn shows a lake at the foot of a mountain: the lake gives its moisture upward to nourish the mountain. It is decrease, and it is not necessarily bad. The traditional text says that even two small bowls, offered sincerely, are enough. Simplifying and giving something up can create room for something better.
Hexagram 41 in daily life
At work
Cut costs and simplify processes. Less complexity brings clarity.
In relationships
Give without keeping score. Sincere, simple gestures matter more than lavish ones.
For yourself
Declutter your schedule and your space. Restrain anger and desire.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Finish your own work, then go quickly to help. Consider how much you can give without harm. |
| Line 2 | Staying firm is favourable. You can help others without diminishing yourself. |
| Line 3 | Three people travel and one is lost; one person travels alone and finds a companion. |
| Line 4 | Reducing your faults makes others come gladly. No blame. |
| Line 5 | Someone brings you gifts worth ten pairs of tortoises. Nothing can refuse it: great good fortune. |
| Line 6 | Gaining without taking from anyone. Good fortune; you gain helpers even without a home. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Lake 兌 (Duì), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Mountain 艮 (Gèn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Earth over Metal. Lake is the trigram of Kua 7 and Mountain is the trigram of Kua 8.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 31. Xián 咸 · Influence
- Inverted (read upside down): 42. Yì 益 · Increase
- Trigrams swapped: 31. Xián 咸 · Influence
Questions to reflect on
- What could I simplify or give up?
- Where would less actually bring more?
- What can I offer sincerely, even if it is small?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.