Hexagram 27 頤 - Yí / THE CORNERS OF THE MOUTH (PROVIDING NOURISHMENT)
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Trigrams#
- Above Gèn, Keeping Still, Mountain
- Below Zhèn, The Arousing, Thunder
The hexagram represents an open mouth: the firm lines at the top and bottom depict the lips, while the open lines between them form the mouth’s opening. This image of taking food into the mouth to sustain oneself shifts the core meaning to nourishment itself. The three lower lines illustrate self-nourishment, specifically physical sustenance, while the three upper lines represent the cultivation and nourishment of others on a higher, intellectual and cultural level.
The Judgment#
The Corners of the Mouth. Perseverance brings good fortune. Pay attention to provisioning and how a person seeks to fill their own mouth.
When providing care and nourishment, one must support the right people and care for oneself in the correct manner. To truly know a person, observe whom they care for and which aspects of their own nature they cultivate and feed. Nature nourishes all creatures. The great person nurtures the capable so that, through them, they can care for all people.
Mencius (VI, A, 14) states: “If you want to know whether someone is capable or incapable, look at nothing else than which part of their nature they deem important. The body has noble and ignoble parts, vital and minor parts. One must not harm the vital for the sake of the minor, nor the noble for the sake of the ignoble. Whoever nurtures the minor parts of their nature is a petty person. Whoever nurtures the noble parts of their nature is a noble person.”
The Image#
Thunder at the foot of the mountain: the image of Providing Nourishment. Thus the superior person is careful in their words and moderate in eating and drinking.
“God comes forth in the sign of the Arousing.” When the life forces stir anew in spring, all things generate afresh. “He brings them to completion in the sign of Keeping Still.” Thus, in early spring, as seeds fall to the earth, all things reach completion. This process illustrates nourishment through alternating movement and stillness. The superior person models the cultivation and refinement of their character on this pattern. Words represent movement directed from the inside out, while eating and drinking represent movement from the outside in. Stillness must moderate both forms of movement. Consequently, stillness ensures that words coming from the mouth do not exceed proper bounds, and nourishment entering the mouth stays within measure, thereby cultivating character.
The Individual Lines#
Nine at the beginning#
You let your magic tortoise go and look at me with corners of the mouth drooping. Misfortune!
The magic tortoise is a creature that requires no earthly food; it possesses such power that it can live on pure air. This image signifies that, by nature and position, a person could live completely free, independent, and self-sufficient. Instead, they renounce this inner autonomy, looking up at others with envy and resentment because those others appear outwardly better off. This base envy, however, only provokes mockery and contempt from the other person, leading to misfortune.
Six in the second place#
Turning toward the summit for nourishment. Deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill: Continuing in this way brings misfortune.
The normal course is to provide for one’s own nourishment or to receive sustenance legitimately from those who have the duty and right to provide it. When inner weakness leaves a person unable to support themselves, an unsettling restlessness often arises. Bypassing rightful labor, they attempt to secure a living through favor, accepting gifts from those in higher positions. This behavior is unworthy because it deviates from one’s true nature. Pursuing this course continuously leads to misfortune.
Six in the third place#
Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. Do not act thus for ten years. Nothing is advantageous.
Anyone who seeks sustenance that does not truly nourish reels from desire to consumption, and within that consumption, wastes away with renewed craving. A passionate frenzy aimed solely at satisfying the senses never achieves its goal. One must never act this way - ten years marks a complete cycle. Nothing good comes from it.
Six in the fourth place#
Turning toward the summit for nourishment brings good fortune. Scouting around with sharp eyes like a tiger in insatiable desire. No blame.
Unlike the Six in the second place, which describes a person busily intent only on personal advantage, this line represents someone in a high position striving to let their light shine. To achieve this high goal, they need capable assistants, as they cannot accomplish it alone. Eager as a hungry tiger, they search for the right people. Because this zeal serves the public good rather than selfish desires, it is completely free of blame.
Six in the fifth place#
Deviating from the path. Remaining in perseverance brings good fortune. One should not cross the great water.
A person is conscious of a deficiency. They ought to provide nourishment for the people but lack the independent strength to do so. Therefore, they must deviate from their usual path and seek advice and assistance from a spiritually superior, yet outwardly unassuming individual. Maintaining this attitude with perseverance leads to success and good fortune. However, they must remain fully aware of their dependency. They must not push themselves to the forefront or attempt to undertake massive enterprises, such as crossing the great water.
Nine at the top#
The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It is advantageous to cross the great water.
This represents a sage of the highest order, the source of all influences that provide nourishment for others. Such a position carries heavy responsibility. If they remain deeply aware of this burden, they attain good fortune and can confidently undertake great and difficult tasks, such as crossing the great water. These actions bring widespread happiness for them and for everyone.
Reference links#
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