Twenty-Seventh Hexagram : The Wisdom of Nourishment

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the twenty-seventh hexagram of the I Ching, Yi (頤), which symbolizes 'The Corners of the Mouth' or 'Nourishment'. It represents mountain over thunder, like the open mouth with jaws, emphasizing proper nourishment of body, mind, and spirit through right food, words, and actions, as well as self-examination of what one consumes and provides. The hexagram statement is: "Yi: The Corners of the Mouth. Perseverance brings good fortune. Pay heed to the providing of nourishment and to what a man seeks to fill his own mouth with."

 

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 King's Mouth, Sustenance of Body and Spirit'

Once upon a time, in a kingdom nestled between thunderous valleys and steadfast mountains, a wise king pondered the art of nourishment—not just for the body, but for the soul and words that filled mouths. Perseverance in proper sustenance brought good fortune, as he paid heed to what nourished his people and what they sought to consume. At the outset, the king let his magic tortoise—a symbol of ancient wisdom—go free, looking at his advisor with drooping corners of the mouth in envy; misfortune befell him for coveting another's nourishment instead of seeking his own.

He turned to the summit for sustenance, deviating from the path to beg from hill hermits; continuing this brought misfortune as he neglected self-reliance.

Turning away from true nourishment, he persevered in starvation of spirit for ten years; nothing furthered, as his kingdom withered in neglect.

Properly turning to the summit for nourishment, he spied with tiger-like sharp eyes and insatiable craving for wisdom; no blame in his vigilant pursuit.

Turning from the wrong path of excess, he remained persevering in moderation, bringing good fortune; he did not cross the great water of ambitious ventures.

At the source of nourishment, aware of danger in overindulgence, good fortune blessed him; it furthered to cross the great water, undertaking great deeds with balanced sustenance.

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): You let your magic tortoise go and look at me with the corners of the mouth hanging down. Misfortune.

This line warns of envying others' nourishment, leading to self-loss and ill fortune. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, the king let his magic tortoise—a symbol of ancient wisdom—go free, looking at his advisor with drooping corners of the mouth in envy; misfortune befell him for coveting another's nourishment instead of seeking his own." This symbolizes the danger of external craving over inner sustenance. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram first line: "You let your magic tortoise go and look at me with the corners of the mouth hanging down. Misfortune."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): Turning to the summit for nourishment, Deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill. Continuing to do this brings misfortune.

This line cautions against seeking sustenance from improper high sources, leading to deviation and failure. Matching part in the tale: "He turned to the summit for sustenance, deviating from the path to beg from hill hermits; continuing this brought misfortune as he neglected self-reliance." Improper seeking deviates. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram second line: "Turning to the summit for nourishment, Deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill. Continuing to do this brings misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing turning to summit deviating to hill for nourishment in misfortune, representing Yi hexagram second line: improper seeking, begging hermit scene on mountain thunder, earthy tones with muted yellows for neglect."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. Do not act thus for ten years. Nothing furthers.

This line warns of rejecting proper nourishment, with perseverance in denial leading to long-term failure. Matching part in the tale: "Turning away from true nourishment, he persevered in starvation of spirit for ten years; nothing furthered, as his kingdom withered in neglect." Rejection withers all. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram third line: "Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. Do not act thus for ten years. Nothing furthers."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating turning away from nourishment persevering in misfortune for ten years, embodying Yi hexagram third line: denying failure, withered kingdom scene with thunder mountain, somber grays and browns for neglect."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): Turning to the summit for nourishment brings good fortune. Spying about with sharp eyes like a tiger with insatiable craving. No blame.

This line encourages vigilant, eager seeking of proper high nourishment without fault. Matching part in the tale: "Properly turning to the summit for nourishment, he spied with tiger-like sharp eyes and insatiable craving for wisdom; no blame in his vigilant pursuit." Vigilant craving blameless. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram fourth line: "Turning to the summit for nourishment brings good fortune. Spying about with sharp eyes like a tiger with insatiable craving. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying turning to summit with tiger eyes craving nourishment no blame, symbolizing Yi hexagram fourth line: vigilant pursuit, tiger spy scene on mountain thunder, intense greens and golds for eagerness."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): Turning from the path. To remain persevering brings good fortune. One should not cross the great water.

This line suggests deviating from norms but persevering in moderation for success, avoiding big risks. Matching part in the tale: "Turning from the wrong path of excess, he remained persevering in moderation, bringing good fortune; he did not cross the great water of ambitious ventures." Moderate deviation succeeds. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram fifth line: "Turning from the path. To remain persevering brings good fortune. One should not cross the great water."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing turning from path persevering in moderation good fortune no great water, representing Yi hexagram fifth line: moderate success, deviation scene with thunder under mountain, serene blues and silvers for restraint."

Top Line (Nine at the Top): The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It furthers to cross the great water.

This line represents being the origin of sustenance, with cautious awareness enabling bold actions for success. Matching part in the tale: "At the source of nourishment, aware of danger in overindulgence, good fortune blessed him; it furthered to cross the great water, undertaking great deeds with balanced sustenance." Aware source boldens. Annotation: I Ching Yi hexagram top line: "The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It furthers to cross the great water."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting source of nourishment aware of danger furthering great water crossing, symbolizing Yi hexagram sixth line: cautious boldness, source scene on mountain over thunder, luminous yellows and purples for awareness."

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