Hexagram 41, Sǔn (Decrease): Line 5
损卦六五 · 山泽损 · 中文版
六五：或益之，十朋之龟弗克违，元吉。
The line (Legge)
The fifth SIX, divided, shows parties adding to (the stores of) its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells, and accepting no refusal. There will be great good fortune.
Small Image commentary
'The great good fortune attached to the fifth six, (divided),' is due to the blessing from above.
象曰：六五元吉，自上佑也。
In plain words
Someone increases it: even a tortoise worth ten strings of cowries cannot oppose it: supreme good fortune. The tortoise was a costly one used in divination, and even its verdict cannot go against this. The fifth line is yielding and central in the place of honour, humbly receives, and all under heaven come to help. The Small Image says this is heaven's help from above.
Applying it to your situation
If you are open to help, this line suggests good things will come from every side. Whose help would you be willing to accept?
Position
A broken (yin) line in the fifth place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is not in its proper place. It holds the centre of the upper trigram. Its partner is line 2; 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 61 Zhōng Fú (Inner Truth). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·损之中孚.
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 4 · Next: Line 6 (top)
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.