益 → 泰

Commentary

Wind and thunder bestow increase, but the transformation leads to earth above heaven — the open intercourse of Peace, here inverted into disorder. Along the upper reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers, governance runs contrary and the people grieve. Yin attacks yang; the strong one suffers calamity. The rivers flowing upstream serve as metaphor for political reversal — power exercised against its natural direction. When yin usurps yang's position, the natural hierarchy collapses and even the powerful are victimized. From Increase to Peace, the irony is acute: Tai's image of heaven and earth in harmonious exchange presupposes each element keeping its proper place. Here, generosity perverted into overreach destroys the very balance that produces prosperity.