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.