Outline（大纲）
- Hexagram Identification
- Keywords
- Historical Context
- Core Interpretation
- Symbolic Representation
- Qualities and Attributes
- Line-by-Line Analysis
- Comparative Analogies
- Related Resources
- Modern Relevance & Guidance
- Essence Summary
Hexagram Identification
- Number: 27
- Chinese Name (Pinyin): 颐 (Yí)
- English Name: Nourishment
- Symbol & Structure: ䷚ (Zhèn 震 below, Gèn 艮 above). The lower trigram Zhèn represents Thunder (movement, life force), and the upper trigram Gèn represents Mountain (stillness, boundary). The hexagram’s shape—two Yin lines at the top and bottom, with four Yang lines in the middle—resembles a mouth (上下为唇，中四爻为齿), symbolizing the act of receiving and processing nourishment.
Keywords
- Nourishment (滋养): Physical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance
- Balance (平衡): Between giving and receiving, action and stillness
- Natural Law (自然法则): Aligning nourishment with cosmic rhythms
- Self-Cultivation (修身): Nurturing inner strength through discipline
- Interdependence ( interdependency): How individual nourishment affects the community
- Moderation (适度): Avoiding excess or deprivation
- Sustainability (可持续性): Ethical sourcing of resources
- Wisdom of the Body (身体智慧): Honoring instinctual needs
Historical Context
Yí, the 27th hexagram in the I Ching, focuses on the principles of nourishment and how living beings sustain themselves. The judgment “Yí: 贞吉。观颐，自求口实” (“Nourishment: Correctness brings good fortune. Observe how nourishment is received; seek your own means of sustenance”) emphasizes that ethical and balanced nourishment is key to well-being.
Classic interpretations include:
- Wang Bi (魏晋・王弼) in Commentary on the I Ching (《周易注》) highlights “nourishing the righteous” (养正 yǎng zhèng), distinguishing between proper nourishment (aligned with virtue) and harmful indulgence.
- Kong Yingda (唐・孔颖达) in Zhouyi 正义 (《周易正义》) connects the hexagram to Heaven’s mandate (天命), stating that nourishment is a universal principle sustaining all life.
- Zhu Xi (宋・朱熹) in The Meaning of the I Ching (《周易本义》) emphasizes “self-reliance in nourishment” (自求口实 zì qiú kǒu shí), warning against parasitic dependence on others.
Yí follows Dà Xù (Great Restraint, 26th hexagram), illustrating that after accumulating resources, the next step is to use them wisely for sustenance.
Core Interpretation
Yí symbolizes the cyclical process of receiving, processing, and distributing nourishment. Zhèn’s Thunder (Yang, movement) below energizes the pursuit of sustenance, while Gèn’s Mountain (Yang, stillness) above signifies the boundaries that ensure moderation. The central four Yang lines represent the teeth (strength in processing), and the outer Yin lines represent the lips (receptivity).
- Yin-Yang Dynamics: The hexagram has two Yin lines (六二，上六) and four Yang lines, with the 5th Yang line (九五) as the ruler, symbolizing a balanced leader who guides nourishment for the collective.
- Five Elements: Zhèn (Thunder) belongs to Wood (growth), Gèn (Mountain) to Earth (nurture). Wood (movement) interacts with Earth (nourishment), reflecting how proactive effort (Wood) cultivates sustainable resources (Earth).
Symbolic Representation
Natural Symbolism
The “mouth” imagery extends to nature: roots absorbing water (Earth’s nourishment), birds gathering seeds (instinctual seeking), and seasons providing harvests (timely sustenance). The hexagram honors nature’s wisdom—how every organism nourishes itself without greed, maintaining ecological balance.
Social Symbolism
In human society, Yí relates to communal well-being: ancient granaries stored food for shared survival, families gathered for meals to strengthen bonds, and leaders were tasked with ensuring their people’s nourishment (e.g., “feeding the masses” in Confucian thought). It criticizes exploitation (e.g., hoarding resources) and praises ethical distribution.
Cultural Symbolism
Yí embodies holistic nourishment across traditions:
- Confucianism: “Nourishing the mind” through education and virtue (修身 xiū shēn).
- Taoism: “Nourishing life” (养生 yǎng shēng) via practices like qigong and herbal medicine.
- Modern wellness: The concept of “whole-person nourishment,” integrating physical health, emotional stability, and spiritual purpose.
Qualities and Attributes
Yí celebrates virtues that sustain life in all its forms:
- Self-Reliance: Like the hexagram’s advice to “seek your own means of sustenance,” it values autonomy without isolation.
- Mindful Consumption: Choosing quality over quantity, whether in food, information, or relationships—honoring the body’s true needs.
- Interconnectedness: Recognizing that personal nourishment depends on others and the environment (e.g., farmers growing food, teachers nurturing minds).
- Adaptability: Adjusting nourishment to changing circumstances, like a plant bending toward sunlight while rooted firmly in the earth.
Line-by-Line Analysis
1st Yang Line (初九：舍尔灵龟，观我朵颐，凶)
“Abandon your divine turtle; watch my cheeks chew—ominous.”
Meaning: Ignoring your own resources (灵龟 líng guī, inner wisdom) to envy others’ nourishment leads to misfortune.
Guidance: Avoid comparing yourself to others’ success; trust your unique path (e.g., a freelancer sticking to their niche instead of chasing trends).
2nd Yin Line (六二：颠颐，拂经于丘颐，征凶)
“Upside-down nourishment; going against the path to seek from the hills— 出征凶.”
Meaning: Relying on others (hills) instead of self-sufficiency causes problems.
Guidance: Teams should build internal capabilities (e.g., training employees) rather than constantly outsourcing tasks.
3rd Yin Line (六三：拂颐，贞凶，十年勿用，无攸利)
“Defying nourishment; correct but ominous—ten years of uselessness, no benefit.”
Meaning: Disregarding natural needs (e.g., overworking) leads to long-term harm.
Guidance: Prioritize rest and health; burnout from ignoring basic needs has lasting consequences.
4th Yang Line (六四：颠颐，吉；虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎)
“Upside-down nourishment; auspicious. Watching like a tiger, pursuing desires—no blame.”
Meaning: Receiving nourishment from above (e.g., a mentor) with focused ambition is positive.
Guidance: Entrepreneurs can seek investors’ support while maintaining clear goals (tiger’s focus) to avoid exploitation.
5th Yang Line (九五：拂经，居贞吉，不可涉大川)
“Going against the norm; staying correct brings good fortune—do not cross great rivers.”
Meaning: Innovate within boundaries; radical change without preparation is risky.
Guidance: Leaders should refine existing systems (e.g., gradual tech upgrades) rather than forcing untested reforms.
6th Yin Line (上六：由颐，厉吉，利涉大川)
“Nourished by others; danger turns to good fortune—beneficial to cross great rivers.”
Meaning: Trusting a wise leader (由颐 yóu yí) allows overcoming challenges together.
Guidance: In crises, following a capable team leader (e.g., during a company restructure) can lead to shared success.
Comparative Analogies
Ecology
Yí mirrors the food web: plants (Earth’s nourishment) rely on sunlight (Heaven’s energy), herbivores on plants, and predators on herbivores—each “seeking their own mouth 实” without disrupting the whole. Human overconsumption (e.g., deforestation) violates this balance, leading to ecological “凶”.
Management
In organizations, Yí advises “sustainable leadership”:
- Nourishing talent: Investing in employee development (like a gardener tending to plants) ensures long-term productivity.
- Balancing resources: Avoid hoarding budgets (初九’s “灵龟”) or overspending (六三’s “拂颐”)—allocate funds strategically.
Psychology
Relates to “emotional self-care”:
- “舍尔灵龟” warns against neglecting inner needs (e.g., people-pleasing at the expense of mental health).
- “由颐” celebrates healthy interdependence—leaning on others for support without becoming parasitic, like a secure attachment in relationships.
Related Resources
- Classic Translations
- I Ching: The Book of Changes (Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, 1950) – Highlights Yí’s focus on “the rhythm of nourishment” and its connection to bodily health.
- The I Ching: A New Translation (John Minford, 2014) – Emphasizes the hexagram’s critique of greed, translating “朵颐” as “cheeks bulging with food.”
- Modern Studies
- Nourishing the Body and Mind in Chinese Philosophy (Chen Lai, 2020) – Explores Yí’s role in Confucian and Taoist concepts of self-cultivation.
- The Ecology of the I Ching (David Peng, 2018) – Analyzes the hexagram’s lessons for sustainable living and resource ethics.
- Authoritative Websites
- I Ching Online (https://www.ichingonline.net) – Offers practical tips on applying Yí to diet, work-life balance, and personal resilience.
- Mayo Clinic Wellness (https://www.mayoclinic.org) – Articles on holistic health that resonate with Yí’s principles of balanced nourishment.
- Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism (https://compassion.stanford.edu) – Research on interdependence and collective well-being, aligned with Yí’s social symbolism.
Modern Relevance & Guidance
Workplace & Leadership
- Team Nourishment: Managers should provide “intellectual sustenance” through training and feedback (like the 5th line’s “居贞吉”), avoiding micromanagement (六二’s “颠颐”).
- Burnout Prevention: Follow the 3rd line’s warning—schedule breaks and set boundaries (e.g., no after-hours emails) to avoid “十年勿用” (long-term burnout).
Personal Health & Well-Being
- Mindful Eating: Choose whole foods that honor your body’s needs, not just cravings (初九’s “舍尔灵龟” as rejecting fad diets for intuitive eating).
- Digital Diet: Limit consuming empty information (e.g., endless social media scrolling) and prioritize nourishing content (educational articles, inspiring stories).
Relationships
- Emotional Reciprocity: Strive for balance—neither overgiving (burnout) nor taking without gratitude (parasitism), echoing the hexagram’s emphasis on “观颐” (observing how nourishment flows).
- Family & Community: Host shared meals or collaborative projects to strengthen bonds, mirroring ancient communal nourishment practices.
Environmental Stewardship
- Sustainable Consumption: Support ethical brands, reduce waste, and advocate for policies that protect natural resources—living the hexagram’s lesson of “自求口实” without exploiting others’ “丘颐”.
Risks to Avoid
- Dependency: Don’t become like the 2nd line’s “颠颐” by relying on others for survival (e.g., financial codependency). Cultivate self-reliance while staying open to healthy support.
- Excess or Deprivation: Both extremes harm balance—overeating, overworking, or starving the body/mind of essential needs (六三’s “贞凶”).
Essence Summary
Yí, the Hexagram of Nourishment, distills a universal truth: life thrives when we honor the delicate balance between receiving and giving, action and stillness, self and community. Its “mouth” imagery is a reminder that every choice—what we put into our bodies, minds, and relationships—shapes our well-being and that of the world around us.
In a time of fast food, information overload, and exploitative systems, Yí calls us back to wisdom: nourish yourself not just to survive, but to flourish—with mindfulness, integrity, and respect for the interconnected web of life. It teaches that true nourishment is never selfish; it is a dance between relying on our inner strength (灵龟 líng guī) and trusting the support of others (由颐 yóu yí), between seeking sustenance and ensuring there is enough for all.
Ultimately, Yí is a celebration of life’s cyclical beauty: how small, intentional acts of nourishment—whether planting a garden, sharing a meal, or nurturing a skill—ripple outward, sustaining both the individual and the world, one mindful choice at a time.