Sun / Decrease

above:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain
below:Tui The Joyous, Lake

In (what is denoted by) Sun, if there be sincerity (in him who employs it), there will be great good fortune: - freedom from error, firmness and correctness that can be maintained, and advantage in every movement shall be made. In what shall this sincerity in the exercise of Sun) be employed? (Even) in sacrifice two baskets of grain, (though there be nothing else,) may be presented.

Overall Meaning

Decrease, lessening, the symbol of diminution

The interpretation of this hexagram is encompassed with great difficulties. Sun is the idea of diminishing or diminution; and what is said in Appendix I has made it to be accepted as teaching the duty of its subject to take of what is his and contribute to his ruler, or the expenses of the government under which he lives; in other words, readily and cheerfully to pay his taxes. Canon McClatchie in translating Appendix I has: - 'Diminishing (by taxation for instance) ... is very lucky.' Possibly, King Wan may have seen in the figures the subject of taxation; but the symbolism of his son takes a much wider range. My own reading of the figure and Text comes near to the view of Khang-tze, that 'every diminution and repression of what we have in excess to bring it into accordance with right and reason is comprehended under Sun.'

Let there be sincerity in doing this, and it will lead to the happiest results. It will lead to great success in great things; and if the correction, or it may be a contribution towards it, appear to be very small, yet it will be accepted; - as in the most solemn religious service. This is substantially the view of the hexagram approved by the Khang-hsi editors.