Yi 山雷頤
A time to watch what you say and eat
Be thoughtful about what goes in and out of your mouth, meaning food and speech. It is time to look after body and mind.
What does I Ching hexagram 27 (Nourishment) mean?
The shape of the mouth and jaw: words and food, meaning nourishing and caring. Be careful what you say and what you take in.
- Nourishment in love
- Mind your words and care for each other well.
- Nourishment at work and with money
- Put effort into nourishing yourself and the people you lead.
- Advice
- Moderate words and food, and nourish body and mind.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Nourishment
Auspicious“Perseverance brings good fortune. Observe the jaws, and look at how one seeks to fill one’s own mouth.”
The Image: Thunder beneath the mountain: nourishment. The noble person is careful with words and moderate in eating and drinking.
原文 · 貞吉。觀頤，自求口實。 / 山下有雷，頤；君子以慎言語，節飲食。
The six lines of hexagram 27
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初九
Misfortune“You let go of your own magic tortoise and watch me with drooping jaws: misfortune.”
You envy what others have instead of using your own gifts.
原文 · 舍爾靈龜，觀我朵頤，凶。
Line 2 · 六二
Misfortune“Turning to others for nourishment against the norm; seeking it from the hill: advancing brings misfortune.”
Depending on the wrong source. Look for what you need in the proper place.
原文 · 顛頤，拂經，于丘頤，征凶。
Line 3 · 六三
Misfortune“Rejecting nourishment; perseverance brings misfortune. For ten years do not act; nothing is favorable.”
Turning away from healthy sources is harmful. It spoils a long time.
原文 · 拂頤，貞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。
Line 4 · 六四
Very auspicious“Turning to the one above for nourishment: good fortune. A tiger’s fixed gaze, a persistent desire: no blame.”
Asking an able person for support is fine, if you are earnest.
原文 · 顛頤吉，虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。
Line 5 · 六五
Auspicious“Going against the norm; staying still and persevering brings good fortune, but don’t cross the great river.”
You need help from someone wise. Stay put and don’t take big risks.
原文 · 拂經，居貞吉，不可涉大川。
Line 6 · 上九
Auspicious“The source of nourishment; danger, but good fortune. It is fitting to cross the great river.”
You are responsible for feeding many. It’s a heavy duty, but a lucky one.
原文 · 由頤，厲吉，利涉大川。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 28. Da Guo (Great Excess)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.