Hexagram 41, Sǔn (Decrease): Line 3
损卦六三 · 山泽损 · 中文版
六三：三人行，则损一人；一人行，则得其友。
The line (Legge)
The third SIX, divided, shows how of three men walking together, the number is diminished by one; and how one, walking, finds his friend.
Small Image commentary
'One man, walking,' (finds his friend): - when three are together, doubts rise among them.
象曰：一人行，三则疑也。
In plain words
When three people travel together, one is lost; when one travels alone, one finds a friend. This hexagram comes from Tai: of its three lower yang lines, one is taken away and moved to the top; the third line, going alone, finds its partner in the top line. The Great Commentary quotes this line to speak of two becoming one. The Small Image says three together breed doubt.
Applying it to your situation
If you are part of a three-way relationship, this line suggests two can find one mind more easily. Which relationship deserves your full attention now?
Position
A broken (yin) line in the third place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is not in its proper place. Its partner is line 6; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.
If this line moves
With this line moving alone, Sǔn changes into Hexagram 26 Dà Chù (Great Taming). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·损之大畜.
The hexagram
Hexagram 41 Sǔn (Decrease). The Judgment: 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 that 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.
Previous: Line 2 · Next: Line 4
English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.