27. The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment) (頤 Yí)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☶ Gèn (Mountain)
- Below
- ☳ Zhèn (Thunder)
Symbolic Meaning
頤 (Yí) symbolizes nourishment and the act of taking in what is necessary to sustain life. This hexagram speaks of both physical and spiritual nourishment. Success comes from being mindful of what one consumes and from nurturing others.
Judgment
Original Chinese:
"頤，貞吉。觀頤，自求口實。"
(Yí, zhēn jí. Guān yí, zì qiú kǒu shí.)
"Nourishment. Perseverance brings good fortune. Observe how you provide nourishment and seek your own source of sustenance."
This hexagram advises mindfulness about how one nourishes both body and spirit. It suggests that success comes from being careful about what one consumes—whether food, thoughts, or influences—and also from nurturing others with integrity.
Image
Original Chinese:
"山下有雷，頤。君子以慎言語，節飲食。"
(Shān xià yǒu léi, yí. Jūn zǐ yǐ shèn yán yǔ, jié yǐn shí.)
"Thunder beneath the mountain: The image of Nourishment. The superior person is careful in their words and moderate in eating and drinking."
The image of thunder under the mountain represents the need for careful and moderate action. The superior person nourishes themselves by being mindful of what they say and by practicing moderation in all things.
Line 1
Original Chinese:
"舍爾靈龜，觀我朵頤，凶。"
(Shě ěr líng guī, guān wǒ duǒ yí, xiōng.)
"Abandoning your sacred tortoise, you look at me with your mouth drooping. Misfortune."
This line speaks of someone who has abandoned their inner wisdom (the sacred tortoise) and now looks to others for sustenance. By relying on external sources rather than inner guidance, misfortune follows.
Line 2
Original Chinese:
"顛頤，拂經于丘，徵凶。"
(Diān yí, fú jīng yú qiū, zhēng xiōng.)
"Turning away from nourishment, straying from the path. Misfortune."
This line warns against turning away from what truly nourishes. By straying from the right path, misfortune follows. It advises staying true to what sustains and nurtures.
Line 3
Original Chinese:
"拂頤，貞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。"
(Fú yí, zhēn xiōng, shí nián wù yòng, wú yōu lì.)
"Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. For ten years, nothing is favorable."
This line describes a prolonged period of difficulty caused by abandoning what nourishes. Perseverance in this mistaken path brings only misfortune, and it advises against continuing down this course.
Line 4
Original Chinese:
"顛頤，吉。虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。"
(Diān yí, jí. Hǔ shì dān dān, qí yù zhú zhú, wú jiù.)
"Turning to nourishment brings good fortune. The tiger watches intently, its desires are focused. No blame."
This line describes a return to proper nourishment and focus. Like a tiger that watches its prey with intent, one should focus on what truly sustains them. By doing so, good fortune follows, and there is no blame.
Line 5
Original Chinese:
"拂經，居貞吉，不可涉大川。"
(Fú jīng, jū zhēn jí, bù kě shè dà chuān.)
"Turning away from the path. Staying still brings good fortune. It is not favorable to cross the great river."
This line advises staying still and not taking action at this time. By turning away from risky ventures and remaining where one is, good fortune is ensured. Crossing the great river symbolizes taking unnecessary risks.
Line 6
Original Chinese:
"由頤，厲吉，利涉大川。"
(Yóu yí, lì jí, lì shè dà chuān.)
"Nourishment from within. Danger, but good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river."
This line describes a time of nourishment from within, which may involve danger but ultimately brings good fortune. With proper internal guidance, one can now take on great challenges and risks, symbolized by crossing the great river.