Hexagram 42: The Wind over Thunder (Yi)

Feng Lei Yi (风雷益), the Wind over Thunder, is the forty-second hexagram of the sixty-four Yi Jing hexagrams. Its structure consists of the trigram Xun (巽, Wind) above and Zhen (震, Thunder) below. Classified as a "mixed" hexagram, it symbolizes increase, supplementation, benefiting what is below, and bestowing favor. It evokes images of wind setting thunder in motion, the mutual assistance between wind and thunder, and the sacrifice of those above to benefit those below. Its core message is "Wind over Thunder (Increase). The superior person learns from good example and corrects faults." This hexagram governs the themes of sacrificing the upper to benefit the lower, bestowing favor upon the people, correcting errors and pursuing virtue, and increasing personal virtue. It is a highly auspicious hexagram, revealing the principles of benefiting others and oneself, benefiting the people and the state, and growing in harmony with the times.

The Hexagram Image and Judgment

The Hexagram Image

Wind over Thunder

Hexagram 42 · Wind above Thunder · Wind and Thunder Stir

Upper Trigram: Xun ☴ (Wind)Lower Trigram: Zhen ☳ (Thunder)Five Phases: Wood over Wood (Xun belongs to Wood, Zhen belongs to Wood)

Symbolizes the Way revealed by the Wind over Thunder Hexagram.

The Hexagram Judgment

Yi (Increase): It is beneficial to have a place to go forth. It is beneficial to cross the great river.

Explanation: The Yi (Increase) hexagram symbolizes augmentation. It is favorable to have a goal or direction, and favorable to undertake significant endeavors and cross great obstacles. It suggests that the path of increase is timely and successful, allowing one to achieve merit by facing challenges.

The Line Judgments

• Line One (Yang): Advantageous for great enterprises and undertakings. Supreme good fortune. No blame.

  Advantageous for great enterprises and undertakings. Supreme good fortune. No blame. Explanation: Favorable for undertaking significant work or ventures. Excellent fortune without fault. At the beginning of Increase, with firm, dynamic energy below, great projects can be initiated.

• Line Two (Yin): Someone gives him a ten-turtle treasure. He cannot decline it. Lasting constancy brings good fortune. The king uses it to present an offering to the Di (Lord-on-High). Auspicious.

  Someone gives him a ten-turtle treasure. He cannot decline it. Lasting constancy brings good fortune. The king uses it to present an offering to the Di (Lord-on-High). Auspicious. Explanation: Someone bestows a precious spiritual turtle of great value. This blessing cannot be refused. Maintaining unwavering constancy is auspicious. The king uses this to offer sacrifice to the Di. This is an auspicious sign from Heaven. The line is yielding, centered, and correct, indicating heavenly-bestowed blessings and increase.

• Line Three (Yin): Increase is applied to unfortunate events. No blame. Have sincerity and act in the center. Report to the duke with jade sceptre.

  Increase is applied to unfortunate events. No blame. Have sincerity and act in the center. Report to the duke with jade sceptre. Explanation: Using the principle of increase to aid in emergencies brings no blame. Acting with sincerity and in accordance with the mean (the balanced middle path) is required. Formally inform the lord using ritual jade. Using increase to rescue danger aligns with the proper Way.

• Line Four (Yin): Acting from the center. Reporting it, the duke assents. It is beneficial to use as support for the moving of the capital.

  Acting from the center. Reporting it, the duke assents. It is beneficial to use as support for the moving of the capital. Explanation: One's actions should be moderate and centered. Reporting to the duke, one gains his assent. It is favorable to use this approval and fairness as support for the relocation of the state. The line is yielding, occupying its rightful position, acting in accordance with the public good to benefit the people.

• Line Five (Yang): Have sincere, beneficial intentions. There is no need to divine; supreme good fortune. Have sincerity; (the people) feel gratitude for my character.

  Have sincere, beneficial intentions. There is no need to divine; supreme good fortune. Have sincerity; (the people) feel gratitude for my character. Explanation: Possess sincere intentions of beneficence and favor. Inquiry is unnecessary; supreme good fortune ensues. The people feel gratitude for my virtue. The yang ruler occupies the central, honorable position, dispensing kindness and increasing others through virtue, winning the hearts of all under heaven.

• Line Six (Yang): No one grants increase. Someone attacks. If the establishment of the heart (mind/intention) lacks constancy, misfortune.

  No one grants increase. Someone attacks. If the establishment of the heart (mind/intention) lacks constancy, misfortune. Explanation: No one grants increase; on the contrary, attacks arise. Establishing a character or purpose that lacks constancy leads to misfortune. Greed without satiation, ceaselessly seeking increase, ultimately invites calamity.

Core Symbolism

In the Yi (Increase) hexagram, the upper trigram, Xun (巽), is Wind, representing compliance and penetration. The lower trigram, Zhen (震), is Thunder, representing movement and action. Thunder moves, Wind arises; the two work synergistically. By sacrificing from above to benefit what is below, and by dispensing favors to help the people, this hexagram symbolizes increasing others, supplementing oneself, correcting errors and following the good, and showering favor upon the world. Corresponding to human affairs, this relates to acts of generosity, kindness, and assistance; correcting oneself and emulating virtue; benefiting people and the state; and enhancing one's enterprise. It advises sacrificing the upper to benefit the lower, acting with sincerity in dispensing favor, and correcting faults and pursuing goodness. It warns that seeking increase through greed or virtue-free demands will instead invite attack.

The six lines of the Yi hexagram revolve around the path of Increase. First Nine (9): great enterprise, supreme fortune without blame. Sixth Two (6): Heaven bestows a great treasure; enduring constancy is auspicious. Sixth Three (6): use increase to rescue misfortune; sincerity leads to no blame. Sixth Four (6): act from the center; move the state under public sanction. Ninth Five (9): sincere heart of beneficence brings supreme, unasked-for fortune and reward. Top Nine (9): no one brings increase but attacks instead; lack of constancy leads to misfortune. The overall core principle is: Wind and Thunder mutual increase, sacrifice from above to benefit below, correct faults and follow the good.

Correlated Images

• Nature of the Hexagram: Mixed hexagram; Upper trigram compliant, lower trigram moving; Wind and Thunder aiding each other; distributing favor and increasing benefit.
• Five Phases: Wood over Wood (Xun belongs to Wood, Zhen belongs to Wood).
• Direction: Southeast (for Xun / Wind) and East (for Zhen / Thunder).
• Timing: Spring, the time when wind and thunder stir and all things grow.
• Personae: The superior person who dispenses favor, the virtuous ruler who benefits the people, one who corrects errors and follows the good.
• Body: Liver, gallbladder, qi, and blood. Governs the increase of vitality, physical, and mental well-being.
• Animals: Loong (Dragon), rooster, birds associated with wind and thunder.
• Objects & Artifacts: Sceptre (Gui), ritual vessels for offerings, boats and oars.
• Locations & Environments: Open plains/fields, court assembly halls, places where wind and thunder are experienced.
• Human Affairs & Events: Dispensing favors to help the people; correcting errors and following virtue; enhancing enterprise/undertakings; benefiting others and oneself.
• Color: Emerald/Jade Green, Green.
• Five Flavors: Sour.
• Numbers: Three (assoc. Zhen/Thunder), Four (assoc. Xun/Wind).

Classical Texts

Hexagram and Line Judgments

(Preserved in Original Classical Chinese) 风雷益： 益：利有攸往，利涉大川。初九： 利用为大作，元吉，无咎。 六二： 或益之十朋之龟，弗克违，永贞吉。王用享于帝，吉。 六三： 益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。 六四： 中行，告公从，利用为依迁国。 九五： 有孚惠心，勿问元吉。有孚惠我德。 上九： 莫益之，或击之，立心勿恒，凶。

Tuan Zhuan (Commentary on the Judgments)

《彖》曰：益，损上益下，民说无疆。自上下下，其道大光。利有攸往，中正有庆。利涉大川，木道乃行。益动而巽，日进无疆。天施地生，其益无方。凡益之道，与时偕行。

Explanation: In the Yi (Increase) hexagram, the upper is diminished to increase the lower, and the joy of the people knows no bounds. Grace bestowed from above reaches below; this Way shines brightly. "It is beneficial to have a place to go forth" indicates auspiciousness due to its central correctness. "It is beneficial to cross the great river" indicates the action of the wooden path [wood floats; thunder, part of wood, moves below]. The Yi hexagram's nature combines action (Zhen) with gentle penetration (Xun), leading to daily advancement without limit. Heaven bestows, Earth produces; the source of increase has no fixed directions. The Way of Increase moves together with the time.

Xiang Zhuan (The Commentary on the Images)

《象》曰：风雷，益。君子以见善则迁，有过则改。

Explanation: Wind and Thunder together create an image of mutual support and augmentation for all things; this is the image of the Yi (Increase) hexagram. The superior person, following this image, sees goodness and moves toward it, notices faults and corrects them.

《象》曰：

• 元吉无咎，下不厚事也。
• 或益之，自外来也。
• 益用凶事，固有之也。
• 告公从，以益志也。
• 有孚惠心，勿问之矣。惠我德，大得志也。
• 莫益之，偏辞也。或击之，自外来也。

Explanation: "Supreme good fortune without blame" is explained: from the lower position, one was not originally burdened with great affairs yet gains the opportunity to accomplish them. "Someone gives..." – This increase comes from the outside. "Increase is applied to unfortunate events" – this arises from inherent sincerity/trust (already present). "Reporting it, the duke assents" – increases the resolution (benefiting one's ambition). "Have sincere, beneficial intentions; there is no need to divine" – There is no need for questioning because "they feel gratitude for my character" shows that one's great will/purpose has been achieved. "No one grants increase" indicates narrow, biased speech. "Someone attacks" indicates calamity coming from the outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yi (Increase) hexagram primarily auspicious or inauspicious?

Answer: The Yi hexagram is an extremely auspicious hexagram. It brings good fortune when the principles of favoring the people, correcting errors to follow virtue, and sacrificing the upper to benefit the lower are followed. However, it brings misfortune when driven by greed for gain or a lack of constant virtue.

What does the Yi hexagram's phrase "learn from good example and correct faults" mean?

Answer: Upon witnessing virtuous conduct, one should learn from it and emulate it. Upon identifying a fault in oneself, one should correct it promptly. This is the core of the Way of Increase, by which one enhances one's own virtue.

What situations or scenarios is the Yi hexagram suitable for?

Answer: It is suitable for scenarios involving bestowing kindness, helping others, benefiting the people and state, correcting faults and following the good, and advancing one's endeavors. It is not suitable for those driven by insatiable greed for profit or harming others to benefit oneself.

What guidance does obtaining the Yi hexagram offer regarding career and interpersonal relationships?

Answer: It advises one to favor and assist others, to correct faults and pursue virtue. The line "Ninth Five: sincere heart of beneficence brings supreme fortune" is most auspicious to follow. Top Nine warns against causing misfortune through greedy seeking of gain.

What is the relationship between the Yi (Increase) hexagram and the Sun (Decrease, hexagram 41)?

Answer: The Sun (Decrease) hexagram primarily involves decreasing what is below to increase what is above – self-restraint and withholding desires. The Yi hexagram primarily involves decreasing what is above to increase what is below – dispensing favors and increasing benefit. They are inverted versions of each other (zonggua, hexagrams reversed). One is decrease, one is increase; they are complementary opposites that work together.

FAQ

What is the core meaning of Hexagram 42, Increase (Yi)?

Hexagram 42, the Wind over Thunder (Yi), is fundamentally about increase, supplementation, and mutual benefit. Its imagery, Wind above (Xun) and Thunder below (Zhen), symbolizes how wind stirs thunder into motion, representing a harmonious relationship where one force enhances the other. The hexagram's essence is captured in the teaching that "the superior person learns from good example and corrects faults." Its primary themes are beneficence from above to below, bestowing favor upon people, and the virtuous cycle of growth—indicating this is a highly auspicious time for improvement and expanding virtue.

In which situations is it beneficial to consult Hexagram 42, "Increase"?

This hexagram is especially relevant and positive when you are contemplating expansion, seeking ways to help others, or undertaking a significant venture. The judgment, "It is beneficial to have a place to go forth. It is beneficial to cross the great river," signifies it's an opportune moment to advance with purpose and tackle major challenges, like starting a large project or overcoming obstacles. It provides guidance for personal growth, charitable actions, leadership aimed at public good, and navigating times where progress is both possible and harmonious.

What is the significance of Line Five (the Yang line in the fifth position)?

Line Five is considered a master line of benefit. As a yang line in the central, honored position (ruling position), it represents a leader with sincere and beneficial intentions. The line's judgment ("Have sincere, beneficial intentions. There is no need to divine; supreme good fortune") indicates that acting with true virtue and generosity is so self-evidently right that divine confirmation isn't needed. It results in the people's heartfelt gratitude and loyalty. This line highlights the power of virtuous increase that emanates from a sincere and benevolent heart.

Why does Line Six indicate "misfortune" despite this being an auspicious hexagram?

Hexagram 42, while auspicious, warns against excess. The hexagram's progression concludes at the top (Line Six) with a scenario where no one grants increase and attacks may occur. This line cautions that a character defined by greed and the ceaseless pursuit of more for oneself—summarized as an "establishment of the heart (mind/intention) [that] lacks constancy"—inevitably leads to misfortune. It serves as a critical reminder that true increase should be balanced, sincere, and aligned with virtue, not an insatiable quest for personal gain.

Does the element Wood mentioned in the hexagram information have symbolic meaning?

Yes, both component trigrams (Xun/Wind and Zhen/Thunder) correspond to the Five Phases element Wood in traditional Yi Jing analysis. The note "Wood over Wood" signifies a singular, harmonious, and potent energy of growth, flexibility, and upward movement. This underpins the core theme of the hexagram: increase is natural, self-reinforcing, and aligned with the generative life force, much like trees growing with strength and resilience.

How do Lines One and Two set the tone for the overall hexagram?

These first two foundational lines establish the positive, proactive energy of the hexagram.

• Line One (Yang): Favorable for starting great enterprises, indicating the dynamic energy needed to initiate growth at the very beginning.
• Line Two (Yin): Describes receiving a "ten-turtle treasure," representing a significant, undeniable blessing or opportunity bestowed from an external or higher source. Together, they show that Increase can involve bold personal initiative (Line One) and gratefully accepting prosperous conditions given by fate or circumstance (Line Two).

What is the difference between Hexagram 42 (Increase) and Hexagram 41 (Decrease)?

These are complementary opposites. Hexagram 41, Sun (Decrease/Removing), advises letting go, reducing, and simplification—a phase of subtraction. Hexagram 42, Yi (Increase), immediately follows and advises a phase of addition, enrichment, and giving. While Decrease is about foundational purification and preparation, Increase is about expansion and bestowing benefits. Together, they reflect the cyclical nature of abundance and sacrifice, showing when the timing favors adding (Increase) after having reduced (Decrease).