Hexagram 27 — Nourishment (颐)
A clear, modern reading of I Ching hexagram 27—Nourishment (Yí): What you take in shapes what you become.
Yi is nourishment — thunder under mountain, sustenance for mouth and belly. Observe what feeds you: careful speech, moderate intake; nourish rightly, not greedily.
The Judgment
贞吉。观颐，自求口实。
Zhēn jí. Guān yí, zì qiú kǒu shí.
“Steadfastness brings good fortune. Observe nourishment — seek your own sustenance.”
In plain terms: What you take in shapes what you become.
The Image
山下有雷，颐；君子以慎言语，节饮食。
Shān xià yǒu léi, yí; jūnzǐ yǐ shèn yán yǔ, jié yǐn shí.
“Thunder beneath the mountain — the noble person is careful in speech and moderate in eating and drinking.”
The Image invites us to translate the hexagram's symbolism into practical conduct—not superstitious fortune-telling.
Six Lines (Brief)
- Rejecting your sacred tortoise, watching my greedy jaws — misfortune.
- Upside-down nourishment — going forth brings misfortune.
- Turning from nourishment — ten years unusable.
- Upside-down nourishment — good fortune; tiger watching, no blame.
- Turning from the norm — steadfastness at home brings good fortune.
- Source of nourishment — danger, good fortune; crossing the great water furthers.
In Daily Life
When Nourishment appears in reflection, consider:
- Careful speech, moderate eating
- Seek sustenance that truly nourishes you
- Don't abandon inner wisdom for others' excess
Practical scenarios:
- Health — moderate intake; nourish rightly
- Gossip — careful speech
- Career — seek fitting sustenance, not envy others' gains
Spatial Note (Feng Shui)
In feng shui, Nourishment is often associated with the East and the Wood phase.
Lower Zhen (east) and upper Gen (northeast). Thunder under mountain — measured activity east, restrained stability northeast for mindful nourishment.
Related Hexagrams
A Closing Thought
Nourishment reminds us: What you take in shapes what you become. What is this pattern asking of you right now?