I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 22 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 5, 6 to Hexagram 48
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 22.1.2.5.6 -> 48
22. Adornment (賁 Bì)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
- Below
- ☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
The Symbolism of Hexagram 22
Hexagram 賁 (Bì) describes the application of form, pattern, and appearance to what already exists. It is not substance itself, but the shaping of how something is presented and perceived.
Hexagram 22 Judgment
賁，亨，小利有攸往。
(Bì, hēng, xiǎo lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
"Adornment. Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to proceed in small matters."
Adornment enhances but does not replace what is essential. It is effective only within limits.
Small actions that refine or present are appropriate. Larger undertakings fail if based on appearance alone.
Hexagram 22 Image
山下有火，賁。君子以明庶政，无敢折獄。
(Shān xià yǒu huǒ, bì. Jūn zǐ yǐ míng shù zhèng, wú gǎn zhé yù.)
"Fire burns at the foot of the mountain: adornment. The superior person clarifies matters but does not decide judgments."
Fire illuminates the base of the mountain, revealing form without altering it. Adornment makes things visible and defined.
It is suited to clarification and presentation, but not to final decisions. Substance must precede judgment.
Line 1 Changing
賁其趾，舍車而徒。
(Bì qí zhǐ, shě chē ér tú.)
"Adorning the feet. Leaving the carriage and proceeding on foot."
Adornment begins at a basic level. One abandons unnecessary display.
Simplicity at the foundation allows movement without distortion.
Line 2 Changing
賁其須。
(Bì qí xū.)
"Adorning the beard."
Adornment is applied outwardly, affecting appearance rather than substance.
This is superficial and limited in scope.
Line 5 Changing
賁于丘園，束帛戔戔，吝，終吉。
(Bì yú qiū yuán, shù bó jiān jiān, lìn, zhōng jí.)
"Adorning the hills and gardens. Small offerings, limited means. Some constrained outcome, but ending in a favorable outcome."
Adornment is modest and constrained. Resources are limited.
Though insufficient at first, sincerity within limitation leads to a favorable outcome.
Line 6 Changing
白賁，无咎。
(Bái bì, wú jiù.)
"Plain adornment. No error."
Adornment reaches its highest form by becoming minimal. Nothing excessive remains.
When appearance aligns completely with substance, no error occurs.
Changing to:
48. The Well (井 Jǐng)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth
- Below
- ☴ Xùn (Wind) — 風 · Penetrating
The Symbolism of Hexagram 48
Hexagram 井 (Jǐng) describes a shared resource structure that remains constant regardless of external change. The well does not change—only access to it does.
Water above wood shows resource brought upward through a structured channel. The system depends not on the existence of the resource, but on the ability to draw from it.
Hexagram 48 Judgment
井，改邑不改井，无喪无得。往來井井，汔至亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。
(Jǐng, gǎi yì bù gǎi jǐng, wú sàng wú dé. Wǎng lái jǐng jǐng, qì zhì yì wèi yù jǐng, léi qí píng, xiōng.)
"The Well. Structures may change, but the source remains. It neither diminishes nor increases. Movement occurs around it. If access fails, or the vessel is inadequate, unfavorable outcome."
This hexagram describes a stable underlying resource that persists independent of circumstance. What changes is not the resource, but the system used to access it.
Failure occurs not from absence, but from inability to draw from what is already present. Proper access and functional tools are essential.
Hexagram 48 Image
木上有水，井。君子以勞民勸相。
(Mù shàng yǒu shuǐ, jǐng. Jūn zǐ yǐ láo mín quàn xiāng.)
"Wood draws water upward: the well. The superior person labors for the people and encourages mutual support."
The well is not self-operating—it requires effort, structure, and participation.
Sustained access depends on maintaining both the system and the process by which the resource is shared.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team