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The Corners of the Mouth

颐 (Yí)

Hexagram #27

Hexagram Structure

6
Yang Line
5
Yin Line
4
Yin Line
3
Yin Line
2
Yin Line
1
Yang Line

Upper Trigram

Mountain

Lower Trigram

Thunder

Core Essence

Keywords

nourishmentsustenancecaremoderation

Meaning

Represents the importance of proper nourishment, both physical and spiritual.

Guidance

Pay attention to what nourishes you. Be mindful of your words and consumption.

Classical Texts

Judgment

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.

颐:贞吉。观颐,自求口实。

Image

At the foot of the mountain, thunder: the image of Providing Nourishment. Thus the superior man is careful of his words and temperate in eating and drinking.

山下有雷,颐;君子以慎言语,节饮食。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Nourishment hexagram emphasizes the importance of health preservation and education. 'Yi' means to nourish and maintain, including both physical and spiritual care. Mencius's 'cultivating the vast flowing qi' embodies the spiritual cultivation of the Yi hexagram. The Yi hexagram teaches us: we must pay attention to physical and mental health, nourishing both body and mind. True health preservation is the integration of body and mind, inner and outer cultivation.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Mountain Lower Trigram: Thunder **Judgment Analysis:** 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. 颐:贞吉。观颐,自求口实。 **Image Wisdom:** At the foot of the mountain, thunder: the image of Providing Nourishment. Thus the superior man is careful of his words and temperate in eating and drinking. 山下有雷,颐;君子以慎言语,节饮食。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of The Corners of the Mouth can guide us: • Pay attention to what nourishes you. Be mindful of your words and consumption. • Keywords: nourishment, sustenance, care, moderation • Core Concept: Represents the importance of proper nourishment, both physical and spiritual.

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