兌 → 損
Hexagram 58: The Joyous Lake → Hexagram 41: Decrease
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 4, 5, 6).
Line 4
九四 商兌未寧。介疾有喜。
Nine in the fourth place means: Joyousness that is weighed is not at peace. After ridding himself of mistakes a man has joy.
Line 5
九五 孚于剝。有厲。
Nine in the fifth place means: Sincerity toward disintegrating influences is dangerous.
Line 6
上六 引兌。
Six at the top means: Seductive joyousness.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
福德之士，懽悅日喜。夷吾相桓，三歸為臣，賞流子孫。
Men of fortune and virtue, joyful and glad day by day. Guan Yiwu served Duke Huan; the Three Returns became his estate, rewards flowing to his descendants.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Paired lakes rest beneath the mountain — Decrease, where the lower is diminished to enrich the higher. A man of merit and virtue rejoices daily. Yi Wu served as minister to Duke Huan; though he accepted the Three Gui estates, he served as a loyal subject, and his rewards flowed down to his descendants. Yi Wu is Guan Zhong's courtesy name. Despite humble origins and a checkered past — he once fought against Huan — the Duke forgave him on Bao Shuya's recommendation, and Guan Zhong made Qi the foremost state of the Spring and Autumn era. From The Joyous to Decrease, the verse shows that personal sacrifice in service to a lord multiplies into lasting legacy. Decrease at the base generates increase at the summit.
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