Hexagram 27: Yí (Nourishment)
山雷颐 · 第 27 卦 · Mountain over Thunder · 中文版
The Judgment
Yi indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.
颐：贞吉。观颐，自求口实。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
'Yi indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune:' - when the nourishing is correct, there will be good fortune. 'We must look at what we are seeking to nourish:' - we must look at those whom we wish to nourish. 'We must by the exercise of our thoughts seek the proper aliment:' - we must look to our own nourishing of ourselves. Heaven and earth nourish all things. The sages nourish men of talents and virtue, by them to reach to the myriads of the people. Great is (the work intended by this) nourishing in its time!
彖曰：颐，贞吉，养正则吉也。观颐，观其所养也；自求口实，观其自养也。天地养万物，圣人养贤，以及万民；颐之时大矣哉！
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) a mountain and under it that for thunder form Yi. The superior man, in accordance with this, (enjoins) watchfulness over our words, and the temperate regulation of our eating and drinking.
象曰：山下有雷，颐；君子以慎言语，节饮食。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first NINE, undivided, (seems to be thus addressed), 'You leave your efficacious tortoise, and look at me till your lower jaw hangs down.' There will be evil.
'You look at me till your (lower) jaw hangs down:' - (the subject of the line) is thus shown unfit to be thought noble.
初九：舍尔灵龟，观我朵颐，凶。 象曰：观我朵颐，亦不足贵也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for nourishment, which is contrary to what is proper; or seeking it from the height (above), advance towards which will lead to evil.
'The evil of advance by the subject of the second SIX, (divided),' is owing to his leaving in his movements his proper associates.
六二：颠颐，拂经，于丘颐，征凶。 象曰：六二征凶，行失类也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, shows one acting contrary to the method of nourishing. However firm he may be, there will be evil. For ten years let him not take any action, (for) it will not be in any way advantageous.
'For ten years let him not take any action:' - his course is greatly opposed (to what is right).
六三：拂颐，贞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。 象曰：十年勿用，道大悖也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger's downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.
'The good fortune attached to looking downwards for (the power to) nourish,' shows how brilliant will be the diffusion (of that power) from (the subject of the line's) superior position.
六四：颠颐，吉，虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。 象曰：颠颐之吉，上施光也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth SIX, divided, shows one acting contrary to what is regular and proper; but if he abide in firmness, there will be good fortune. He should not, (however, try to) cross the great stream.
'The good fortune from abiding in firmness' is due to the docility (of the subject of the line) in following (the subject of the line) above.
六五：拂经，居贞吉，不可涉大川。 象曰：居贞之吉，顺以从上也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth NINE, undivided, shows him from whom comes the nourishing. His position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream.
'The good fortune, notwithstanding the peril of his position, of him from whom comes the nourishing,' affords great cause for congratulation.
上九：由颐，厉吉，利涉大川。 象曰：由颐厉吉，大有庆也。 · 单爻页
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.