Yi — Feeding Rightly
Also known as: The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
The Judgement
颐卦：颐，贞吉。观颐，自求口实。
Nourishment: steadfast correctness is auspicious. Observe how others seek what feeds them, and seek for yourself what rightly fills the mouth.
AI commentaryThis hexagram sets Thunder beneath Mountain: stillness above, movement below, like a jaw at work. The yang lines at top and bottom are the upper and lower jaw; the four yin lines between them are the open space of teeth and tongue. The hexagram therefore governs nourishment of body, of character and of others. The judgement holds that feeding by right means is auspicious: one should watch how people obtain their sustenance and earn one's own honestly. Drawn in divination, it concerns eating, rest and recovery, and asks that all nourishing be done correctly: guarding speech nourishes virtue, moderating food and drink nourishes the body.
AI plain readingThis hexagram shows Thunder stirring at the foot of a still Mountain, a picture of the mouth: the solid yang lines at top and bottom are the jaws, and the four broken yin lines between them are the space where teeth and tongue work. Its subject is nourishment in every sense: feeding the body, cultivating character and providing for others. The judgement says nourishment gained in the right way is auspicious. Look at how others earn their living, then support yourself by honest means. If you draw this hexagram, the focus is on eating well, resting and rebuilding strength. Above all, nourish rightly: be careful with words to protect your character, and moderate food and drink to protect your health.
The Great Image
山下有雷，颐；君子以慎言语，节饮食。
Thunder stirs at the foot of the Mountain, forming this hexagram. Taking it as a model, the noble person guards their words and keeps food and drink within measure.
The Six Lines
1st Line (nine)
初九：舍尔灵龟，观我朵颐，凶。
You set aside your spirit tortoise and watch my working jaws with hungry eyes. Inauspicious.
AI commentaryThe spirit tortoise, able to sustain itself, stands for the worth one already possesses. Setting it aside to gaze hungrily at another's chewing jaws (the fourth line) is inauspicious: abandoning one's own ability to envy and depend on others is contemptible.
AI plain readingThe spirit tortoise, which can feed itself, stands for the abilities and good qualities you already have. Here you drop all that and stare enviously at another person eating, hoping to be provided for. The verdict is inauspicious: giving up your own strength to live off others is both shameful and costly.
- Timing
- This is a phase for living on your own strengths; counting on other people's luck to carry you turns it inauspicious.
- Money
- Coveting another's wealth, or hoping someone else will support you, is inauspicious here. Losses follow; rely on money you earn yourself.
- Career
- Your real asset is the skill you already have; eyeing a rival's post instead is an inauspicious route to failure.
- Relationships
- Self-respect matters in love now. Clinging to a partner for approval or envying other couples brings an inauspicious turn and hurt.
- Home & Household
- Tradition holds that a household leaning on relatives' handouts turns inauspicious and falls into disorder; keep it on its own means.
- Health
- Chasing tonics and quick fixes is read as inauspicious and depleting; steady self-care that builds your constitution serves you better.
- Marriage
- Marrying in order to be provided for is inauspicious; such a match tends to fail. Come to marriage as an equal.
- Exams & Study
- Honest revision beats borrowed answers. The reading treats shortcuts and copying a stronger classmate as inauspicious; both cost you marks.
- Travel
- Plan and fund any trip yourself; the inauspicious, risky option is tagging along on arrangements someone else controls.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Assemble your own records first; the reading points towards defeat, an inauspicious outcome, if you lean on influence instead of evidence.
- Finding a Person
- Expect little from waiting for others to track the person down; that inauspicious path is hard going, so make enquiries yourself.
- The Decision Point
- If a choice means giving up your own strengths to live off someone else's provision, refuse it; envy and dependence here are inauspicious.
2nd Line (six)
六二：颠颐，拂经，于丘颐，征凶。
Turning upside down for nourishment, going against the normal order; seeking nourishment from the hill above. To set out is inauspicious.
AI commentaryThe line seeks support from those beneath it, going against the normal order, then turns to the heights above (the hill). Both miss the right path, and advancing is inauspicious. Grasping wrongly for sustenance, with no footing above or below, invites misfortune.
AI plain readingHere you ask for support from people below you, turning the natural order upside down, then reach for help from someone high and distant. Neither approach is right, and pressing ahead is inauspicious. The lesson: when you grasp for support improperly, with no real connection above or below, every move invites trouble.
- Timing
- This phase punishes scrambling for help in every direction; stay correct and self-reliant, since rash moves are inauspicious.
- Money
- Chasing loans or favours from anyone who might oblige leads nowhere good: acting on such funding is inauspicious, with losses likely.
- Career
- Skip the proper channel by leaning on juniors or lobbying distant executives, and pushing ahead turns inauspicious, with failure likely.
- Relationships
- Stay self-reliant in love; hopping between sources of affection is an inauspicious move that tends to leave someone hurt.
- Home & Household
- Turning to whichever relative might help, regardless of propriety, throws the household into disorder; the tradition counts such moves inauspicious.
- Health
- The tradition reads hasty action as inauspicious and harmful here: rather than piling up remedies from everywhere, keep one sound routine.
- Marriage
- Stand on your own before committing: courting one prospect after another for what each might supply turns inauspicious and ends badly.
- Exams & Study
- Hold to your study plan. Begging notes from everyone or seeking an inside track costs results; the reading calls it inauspicious.
- Travel
- To set out relying on uncertain hosts and borrowed connections is inauspicious; the tradition sees danger on such a road.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Courting favours high and low instead of standing on proper grounds weakens your case; acting now is inauspicious and risks defeat.
- Finding a Person
- Scattered requests to every contact, high and low, go nowhere; pressing the search improperly is inauspicious, so keep to proper channels.
- The Decision Point
- When the only way forward depends on improper requests for help from above or below, stay where you are; to set out now is inauspicious.
3rd Line (six)
六三：拂颐，贞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。
Going against right nourishment: even holding firm is inauspicious. For ten years do not act; nothing is favourable.
AI commentaryIndulging desire goes against the proper way of nourishment (拂颐), so even holding firm is inauspicious. For ten years, a long time, one cannot be put to use; nothing is favourable. Nourishing wrongly does the deepest, longest harm: the hexagram's gravest warning.
AI plain readingThis line describes turning against healthy nourishment: indulging appetites and abandoning what is right. Even sticking with that course is inauspicious, and for ten years, meaning a long stretch, nothing you attempt can be put to good use. It is the hexagram's strongest warning: feeding desire by wrong means does deep and lasting damage.
- Timing
- A long unproductive stretch follows any slide into indulgence; keep sound habits, because even persisting on a wrong path is inauspicious.
- Money
- Manage money with discipline. Spending to feed cravings brings no lasting gain, and the reading counts sticking with that habit inauspicious.
- Career
- Integrity matters more than comfort at work now. Cut corners for gratification, and an inauspicious setback follows that can last years.
- Relationships
- Indulgence dressed up as love is inauspicious, and persisting only prolongs the damage; nurture feeling through restraint.
- Home & Household
- Restore moderation at home. Where overspending and indulgent habits take hold, the tradition sees a long, inauspicious stretch with nothing gained.
- Health
- The tradition reads overindulging in food, drink or pleasure as inauspicious and slow to repair, and restraint as protecting the constitution.
- Marriage
- Do not let appetite steer commitment. A marriage built on indulgence sees no gain for years; persisting in it is inauspicious.
- Exams & Study
- Slacking and distraction now cost you for a long time; persisting in lax habits is inauspicious, so return to disciplined study.
- Travel
- Travel moderately and guard your wellbeing. A trip built around excess or escape brings nothing lasting; the reading marks it inauspicious.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- In a conflict, motives of greed or self-indulgence are inauspicious; holding to them leaves you without advantage for a long time.
- Finding a Person
- Searches using dishonest shortcuts turn up nothing for a long while; the reading is inauspicious, so stay honest and patient.
- The Decision Point
- Reject any option whose real driver is indulgence; the line calls persisting in it inauspicious and sees nothing favourable for a long stretch.
4th Line (six)
六四：颠颐吉，虎视眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。
Turning upside down for nourishment is auspicious. Watching like a tiger, gaze fixed and intent, the desire pursued without letting up: no blame.
AI commentaryThough placed above, the line humbles itself and seeks support from the worthy beneath. It looks irregular, but the aim is proper, the focus fixed like a tiger's stare, the effort unbroken and in service of those below: auspicious, with no blame.
AI plain readingHere you hold a higher position yet humbly turn to capable people below for help. That may look like a reversal of roles, but the purpose is right: to provide for others. Like a tiger fixing its gaze, you stay focused and pursue the goal without letting up. The verdict is auspicious, with no blame.
- Timing
- Auspicious, with no blame: this phase rewards humbly seeking capable help and keeping focused, sustained effort on a sound aim.
- Money
- The reading favours gain when the purpose is proper: consult an expert and pursue the matter with a tiger's focus.
- Career
- If you lead, bring in talented people beneath you and back them persistently. Colleagues tend to rally round, an auspicious sign.
- Relationships
- Swallowing pride to ask honestly for what the relationship needs is auspicious; steady, sincere attention keeps the bond warm.
- Home & Household
- Even younger family members may hold the wisdom you need; asking them persistently helps the household prosper, with no blame.
- Health
- The tradition favours seeking a good practitioner and following through diligently; such care is read as auspicious, leaning towards recovery.
- Marriage
- Humility in courtship pays: the reading favours a happy union, an auspicious outcome for seeking a sincere partner and persisting steadily.
- Exams & Study
- Find a good teacher and keep returning with questions. Results tend to follow, and the reading calls such persistence auspicious.
- Travel
- Local guides and seasoned travellers are your best resource. Ask them humbly, and an auspicious, smooth journey is likely.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Capable counsel and focused persistence on a proper claim are read as auspicious here, favouring a fair resolution.
- Finding a Person
- Enlist people who know the area and follow every lead tirelessly. This is auspicious, and the reading favours finding them.
- The Decision Point
- When a sound goal needs help from those beneath you, ask humbly and pursue it without letting up; this is auspicious and carries no blame.
5th Line (six)
六五：拂经，居贞吉，不可涉大川。
Going against the normal order. Staying put and holding to what is right is auspicious; one must not cross the great stream.
AI commentaryA yin line in the ruler's seat, it relies on the worthy top line to nourish others. This goes against the normal order (拂经), but remaining in place with steadfast correctness is auspicious; it is too weak to cross the great stream.
AI plain readingHere you hold a high position but lack the strength to provide for others alone, so you depend on a capable person. That goes against the normal order, yet staying steady and keeping to what is right is auspicious. With limited resources, avoid major risks; this is no time for crossing the great stream.
- Timing
- Your own resources fall short, so lean on capable allies and keep steady; avoiding bold risks makes this an auspicious phase.
- Money
- Under a trusted adviser's guidance, with no speculative leaps, the reading is auspicious for preserving what you hold.
- Career
- Delegate to stronger colleagues and hold your post with integrity. Risky new ventures are ruled out; staying steady is auspicious.
- Relationships
- If you cannot carry the relationship alone, accept a wise friend's support. Patient honesty is auspicious and keeps things harmonious; avoid dramatic gambles.
- Home & Household
- A capable family member should steer household matters for now; the tradition reads a calm home without upheaval as auspicious.
- Health
- Rely on a good practitioner rather than guesswork and avoid strain; the tradition reads this as auspicious, leaning towards gradual improvement.
- Marriage
- A match helped along by respected elders is auspicious if you stay patient and principled; avoid forcing a risky leap.
- Exams & Study
- Success is within reach under a good teacher's guidance. A steady plan is auspicious; cramming or rushing ahead is not.
- Travel
- Stay near home or travel with an experienced companion. The reading rules out hazardous journeys but calls cautious trips auspicious and safe.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Let able counsel handle the matter and avoid escalating. With correct conduct, the reading favours resolution, an auspicious turn.
- Finding a Person
- Work alongside capable helpers instead of charging ahead alone; with patience, the tradition reads the search as auspicious and likely to succeed.
- The Decision Point
- If you lack the strength for a bold move, rely on capable people, hold your position correctly and decline the big risk; that is auspicious.
6th Line (nine)
上九：由颐，厉吉，利涉大川。
All are nourished through this one: dangerous, yet auspicious. It is favourable to cross the great stream.
AI commentaryAll under heaven look to this line for nourishment; the way of nourishing culminates here. The burden is heavy and dangerous (厉), demanding watchfulness; with reverent care and worthy people nourishing the many, it is auspicious and can cross the great stream.
AI plain readingIn this top line, everyone depends on you for nourishment, the culmination of the hexagram's theme. The responsibility is dangerous, so stay watchful and self-disciplined, and rely on good, capable people to care for others. Handled this way, the situation is auspicious despite the danger, and crossing the great stream, meaning major challenges, is favourable.
- Timing
- Heavy responsibility falls to you now; stay vigilant and rely on good people, and this dangerous phase turns auspicious.
- Money
- Others' livelihoods depend on your handling of funds; with great care and sound advisers, the reading favours profit despite the risk.
- Career
- As everyone's mainstay at work, staff key roles with able people and stay on guard; despite danger, great success looks auspicious.
- Relationships
- When a partner leans heavily on you, the strain is risky; with sincerity and watchfulness the bond stays auspicious through hard patches.
- Home & Household
- The household rests on your shoulders. Watchfulness and wise delegation keep this demanding time auspicious, carrying the family through hardship.
- Health
- Looking after your body is a serious charge now; the tradition reads disciplined, correct self-care as auspicious despite risk, supporting resilience.
- Marriage
- Treat the marriage as a serious, risky charge; watchfulness and good faith make the reading auspicious, favouring a union that weathers trials.
- Exams & Study
- Under real pressure, ambitious goals come within reach through diligent work; treat preparation as a weighty duty and the reading is auspicious.
- Travel
- Guiding others on a journey demands caution and good faith; though risky, the trip is auspicious and can see you through serious difficulties.
- Disputes & Legal Matters
- Despite dangerous stakes, the reading favours a just settlement, an auspicious sign, provided you act with vigilance and even-handedness.
- Finding a Person
- Expect a demanding, risky search; with caution and sincerely treated helpers it is auspicious, and news of the person is likely to surface.
- The Decision Point
- When others depend on you, accept the weight with caution and rely on good people; the danger is real, yet bold action is auspicious.