I Ching

Hexagram 27 — Nutrition Yi

Hexagram 27, Nutrition — the six lines

Classical meaning

Perseverance brings good fortune. Contemplate nourishment. Attend to seeking sustenance for yourself.

頤。貞吉。觀頤。自求口實。

Image: Thunder beneath the mountain: the image of nourishment. The noble person is careful with their words and moderate in food and drink.

It addresses physical, mental, and spiritual nourishment—and that which is transmitted.

The six lines

Line 1. Abandon your spiritual turtle, look only to the hungry lips. Ruin. Do not limit yourself to satisfying superficial desires. Remember that nurturing is a sacred act that must benefit all, not merely one’s own appetite.
Line 2. It feeds in an inverted manner, departing from order. If one seeks resources on the hill, the journey is perilous. Avoid seeking sustenance where there is no root or balance. Trust in fair sharing: that which nourishes some must arise from what is solid and true.
Line 3. Deviating from proper nourishment brings ruin. Ten years of uselessness. Nothing favorable. Do not withhold or distort the flow of nourishment. Those who nourish only themselves or use sustenance to manipulate others bring ruin. True gain arises from circulation among all.
Line 4. Feeds in an inverted manner, yet with firmness. The tiger gazes intently and desires intensely. Without guilt. Transform intensity into generosity. Abundance is only legitimate when shared. Desire, if directed towards nurturing the collective, brings strength and eliminates guilt.
Line 5. Seek order in nourishment. Remaining steadfast is auspicious. It is not possible to cross the great river. Organize what you possess and distribute it justly. Maintaining balance and providing for others is a greater victory than pursuing risky conquests.
Line 6. True nourishment. It is dangerous, yet auspicious. Favorable to cross the great river. Full nourishment involves risk but brings blessing when it embraces all. What is shared expands and transcends boundaries: sustaining the collective also strengthens the individual.
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