Hexagram 27 · 頤 · yí
Hexagram 27. Yí · Nourishment
☶☳ Mountain over thunder: Gèn above, Zhèn below.
hat of virtue; and hence the name of Ta WM, ‘the Great Accumulation.’
hat of virtue; and hence the name of Ta WM, ‘the Great Accumulation.’
The image of open jaws: all that lives is sustained by nourishment. Watch what you feed yourself — food, impressions, words — and what you feed others. By what a person cultivates in himself and in people, his own nature is seen. Set your nourishment in order.
The Image
Thunder below, mountain above: motion beneath stillness — the image of jaws. Everything alive is sustained by what enters it — food, information, company — and by what it feeds in turn. Audit both flows: what you are fed by, and whom you feed. From these two lists, character and future read more accurately than from words.
Interpretation of hexagram 27
What the Thwan teaches, is that he who goes about to accumulate his virtue must be firm and correct, and may then, engaging in the public service, enjoy the king’s grace, and under¬ take the most difficult enterprises. Line 1 is subject to the repression of 4, which will be increased if he try to advance. It is better for him to halt.
The lines of hexagram 27
First line
The first line, undivided, (seems to be thus addressed), ‘ You leave your efficacious tortoise, and look at me till your lower jaw hangs down.’ There will be evil.
Line 2 is liable to the repression of 5, and stops its advance of itself, its subject having the wisdom to do so through its position in the central place. The strap below, when attached to the axle, made the carriage stop; he himself acts that part.
Second line
The second line, divided, shows one looking downwards for nourishment, which is contrary to what is proper; or seeking it from the height (above), advance towards which will lead to evil.
Line 3 is the last of jOien, and responds to the sixth line, the last of Kan, above. But as they are both strong, the latter does not exert its repressive force. They advance rapidly together; but the position is perilous for 3. By firmness and caution, how¬ ever, its subject will escape the peril, and the issue will be good.
Third line
The third line, divided, shows one acting con¬ trary to the method of nourishing. However firm he may be, there will be evil. For ten years let him not take any action, (for) it will not be in any way advantageous.
The young bull in line 4 has not yet got horns. The attaching to their rudiments the piece of wood to prevent him from goring is an instance of extraordinary precaution ; and precaution is always good.
Fourth line
The fourth line, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger’s downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.
XXVII. The t Hexagram.
Fifth line
The fifth line, divided, shows one acting con¬ trary to what is regular and 'proper; but if he abide in firmness, there will be good fortune. He should not, (however, try to) cross the great stream.
I indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.
Top line
The sixth line, undivided, shows him from whom comes the nourishing. His position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream.
A boar is a powerful and dangerous animal. Let him be cas¬ trated, and though his tusks remain, he cares little to use them. Here line 5 represents the ruler in the hexagram, whose work is to repress the advance of evil. A conflict with the subject of the strong second line in its advance would be perilous ; but 5, taking early precaution, reduces it to the condition of the castrated pig. Not only is there no evil, but there is good fortune.
Did hexagram 27 come up in your reading? The oracle itself gives the full reading, with changing lines and the second hexagram.
Cast the coins