Twenty-Second Hexagram : The Wisdom of Grace

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the twenty-second hexagram of the I Ching, Bi (賁), which symbolizes 'Grace' or 'Adorning'. It represents mountain over fire, like beauty adorning the mountain's solidity, emphasizing elegance, refinement in small matters, and the harmony of form and content without overemphasis on superficiality. The hexagram statement is: "Grace has success. In small matters It is favorable to undertake something."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Adorned Mountain, Elegance of Form'

Once upon a time, in a realm where fiery passions illuminated towering mountains, a young artisan sought to adorn the world with grace, finding success in small undertakings. At the outset, he lent grace to his toes, leaving the carriage and walking humbly on foot to appreciate the earth's beauty.

He then lent grace to the beard on his chin, adorning his appearance with subtle elegance that enhanced his inner worth.

His graceful and moist demeanor required constant perseverance for good fortune, as he refined his craft without excess.

Faced with grace or simplicity, a white horse came as if on wings; not a robber, but wooing at the right time, symbolizing harmonious unions.

In grace among hills and gardens, the roll of silk was meager and small; humiliation at first from scarcity, but in the end good fortune through persistent refinement.

At last, simple grace prevailed, with no blame in pure, unadorned elegance that reflected true essence.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Nine): He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and walks.

This line advises humble, grounded grace in movement, prioritizing essence over luxury. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, he lent grace to his toes, leaving the carriage and walking humbly on foot to appreciate the earth's beauty." This symbolizes choosing simplicity to connect with fundamentals.

Annotation: I Ching Bi hexagram first line: "He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and walks."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): Lends grace to the beard on his chin.

This line suggests adorning external features to enhance inner qualities without excess. Matching part in the tale: "He then lent grace to the beard on his chin, adorning his appearance with subtle elegance that enhanced his inner worth." Subtle adornment refines. Annotation: I Ching Bi hexagram second line: "Lends grace to the beard on his chin."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing lending grace to beard on chin for subtle elegance, representing Bi hexagram second line: external refinement, adorned figure scene with fire under mountain, warm yellows and grays for subtlety."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): Graceful and moist. Constant perseverance brings good fortune.

This line emphasizes maintaining graceful appearance with ongoing effort for success. Matching part in the tale: "His graceful and moist demeanor required constant perseverance for good fortune, as he refined his craft without excess." Persevering grace succeeds. Annotation: I Ching Bi hexagram third line: "Graceful and moist. Constant perseverance brings good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating graceful moist demeanor with perseverance for good fortune, embodying Bi hexagram third line: refined effort, craft scene on mountain with fire, muted greens and oranges for constancy."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): Grace or simplicity? A white horse comes as if on wings. He is not a robber, He will woo at the right time.

This line questions elegance versus plainness, with timely harmonious pursuit. Matching part in the tale: "Faced with grace or simplicity, a white horse came as if on wings; not a robber, but wooing at the right time, symbolizing harmonious unions." Timely wooing harmonizes. Annotation: I Ching Bi hexagram fourth line: "Grace or simplicity? A white horse comes as if on wings. He is not a robber, He will woo at the right time."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying grace or simplicity with white horse wooing at right time, symbolizing Bi hexagram fourth line: harmonious pursuit, white horse scene under mountain fire, serene whites and golds for timeliness."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): Grace in hills and gardens. The roll of silk is meager and small. Humiliation, but in the end good fortune.

This line indicates modest resources in graceful settings, initial shame turning to success. Matching part in the tale: "In grace among hills and gardens, the roll of silk was meager and small; humiliation at first from scarcity, but in the end good fortune through persistent refinement." Modest persistence transforms. Annotation: I Ching Bi hexagram fifth line: "Grace in hills and gardens. The roll of silk is meager and small. Humiliation, but in the end good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing grace in hills with meager silk humiliation to good fortune, representing Bi hexagram fifth line: transforming scarcity, hill garden scene with fire mountain, vibrant purples and yellows for persistence."

Top Line (Six at the Top): Simple grace. No blame.

This line represents pure, unadorned grace without fault. Matching part in the tale: "At last, simple grace prevailed, with no blame in pure, unadorned elegance that reflected true essence." Simple elegance blameless. Annotation: I Ching Bi hexagram top line: "Simple grace. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting simple grace without blame in pure elegance, symbolizing Bi hexagram sixth line: unadorned essence, peak mountain scene with fire below, luminous whites and grays for purity."

This blog should make the six lines of Bi hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~