The 22nd Hexagram of the I Ching: The Bì Hexagram
The Symbolic Meaning of the Bì Hexagram: Mountain and Fire
The Bì hexagram is composed of the lower trigram Li (离, fire) and the upper trigram Gen (艮, mountain). Li represents fire and brightness, while Gen represents mountain and stillness.
The character Bì(贲) refers to the luster of a seashell. The shine of the shell and the shell itself complement each other, creating a decorative, colorful, and harmonious effect, which symbolizes elegance and brightness. Therefore, the Bì hexagram conveys the meaning of decoration, refinement, and civilization. It emphasizes the relationship between substance (the essential nature) and decoration (external form), advocating for substance as the foundation and decoration as the regulating element, creating a balance of civilization and moderation.
Explanation of the Hexagram: “Duan Yi Tian Ji”
In this hexagram, Gen is placed above Li, which is considered the initial creation of the Gen palace. Bì suggests decoration and refinement, while Li symbolizes light, and Gen represents stillness, implying that civilized systems and institutions regulate people within set norms, which usually signifies a favorable omen.
Interpretation by Shao Yong, a Scholar from the Northern Song Dynasty
The decoration symbolizes brightness, while the external form is solid, and the internal need is present. In times of hidden concerns, it is necessary to act within one’s ability.
Those who draw this hexagram should be aware that while their outward appearance may be splendid, their inner foundation may be lacking. It is essential to fill oneself with knowledge, act cautiously, and stay within one’s means.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Leading Scholar in Taiwan
- Fortune: There is resistance above, so one should not act impulsively.
- Wealth: With good management, success is possible, but be cautious of falling into traps.
- Home: Be careful of fire hazards.
- Health: Fire energy is rising within, so use cooling remedies cautiously.
Traditional Interpretation
This hexagram, formed by the unusual combination of Li (fire) and Gen (mountain), represents civilization combined with moderation. Li brings brightness, while Gen symbolizes restraint. It conveys the relationship between substance and form—substance should lead, while form should regulate. Bì implies decoration and refinement.
Great Image (Da Xiang):
The setting sun shines brightly, illuminating the world beautifully, yet this image also hints at the fading of light and the rising of darkness.
Fortune: The appearance may be impressive, but the inner substance is lacking. It is important to fill oneself with knowledge and remain steady in one’s actions. Always proceed step-by-step and avoid superficial pursuits.
Career: Things will go smoothly with some small achievements. It is important to summarize your experiences promptly and aim for greater development. Build your confidence and do not focus on short-term gains and losses. Pursue substance over form, act with caution, and do not follow the crowd. Seek help from capable people to elevate your career.
Business: You may encounter initial difficulties, but do not be discouraged. Thoroughly analyze the situation, expand boldly, and cooperate with others. Based on the market, plan your business operations carefully.
Fame: Do not focus too much on appearances; emphasize inner qualities. Boldly promote yourself, but always stay true to your ideals.
Marriage and Relationships: Be cautious in choosing a partner. If someone is suitable, pursue them with determination and avoid indecisiveness. Focus on their inner qualities rather than being deceived by superficial appearances.
Decision Making: You may tend to focus on outward appearances, lacking persistence in seeking inner qualities. You might be impulsive, chasing empty fame, and often encounter setbacks or give up halfway. However, through the lessons of experience, you will change unrealistic approaches, gain a better understanding of society and life, and become more self-disciplined. As you continue to cultivate yourself, your career will flourish, and you will achieve great success in your middle and later years, even having continued achievements in old age.
Philosophical Meaning of the First Line of the Bì Hexagram
Line Text:
Chū jiǔ: Bì qí zhǐ, shě chē ér tú.
Translation: The first line: Decorate your toes and abandon the cart to walk on foot.
Explanation of the Line:
Guàn refers to decoration. Zhǐ means toes, and tú refers to walking on foot.
This line indicates that one decorates their toes and gives up riding in a cart to walk on foot. The first line represents the lower class of society, who typically do not use carts. When one’s life becomes more comfortable, they begin to focus on personal adornment, starting with their feet. How do they adorn themselves? By trimming toenails, cleaning their feet, and wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes. This is what “decorating the toes” refers to. In ancient times, women also applied different colors to their toenails to beautify their feet.
Philosophical Implications for This Line:
- Do not rely on superficial appearances or rely on external means (like carts), but rather take actions that are true and in line with your abilities.
- Avoid excessive adornment; simplicity and restraint lead to better outcomes.
- In all pursuits, focus on what can and cannot be achieved, and avoid pursuing what is not reliable.
The Change of the First Line:
The first line of the Bì hexagram changes to the 52nd hexagram: Gèn wéi shān (艮为山), “Mountain.”
This hexagram is formed by stacking two Gen trigrams (mountain) on top of each other. It symbolizes stillness, the opposite of Zhèn (震), which represents movement. After the peak or climax of an event, there is a natural period of rest or decline. This stillness, like a mountain, implies that one should act when necessary and remain still when required. The key is to strike a balance, knowing when to move and when to stop.
Philosophical Meaning of the Second Line of the Bì Hexagram
Line Text:
Liù èr: Bì qí xū.
Translation: The second line: Decorate the mustache.
Explanation of the Line:
This line suggests that one should support their superiors and speak highly of them, as this will lead to recognition from those in power. The second line, being centered and harmonious, has a specific role to play in the structure. Just like decorating the mustache, it complements the chin, creating a harmonious balance.
Philosophical Implications for This Line:
- Support your superiors in the workplace and help them achieve their goals, which will bring recognition and rewards.
- When the conditions align, great things can happen. Sometimes small efforts can lead to significant results.
Change of the Second Line:
The second line of the Bì hexagram changes to the 26th hexagram: Shān tiān dà chù (山天大畜), “Mountain over Heaven,” also known as the “Great Accumulation.”
This hexagram is formed by stacking Qián (乾, Heaven) on the lower trigram and Gèn (艮, Mountain) on the upper trigram. Qián represents strength and creativity, while Gèn represents restraint. Dà xù (大畜) signifies great accumulation, meaning that one must accumulate resources and strength before taking action. This hexagram advises to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties and focus on cultivating inner virtues.
Philosophical Meaning of the Third Line of the Bì Hexagram
Line Text:
Jiǔ sān: Bì rú, rú rú, yǒng zhēn jí.
Translation: The third line: Adorn yourself gracefully, like moistening and smoothing, and forever uphold righteousness—fortune will follow.
Explanation of the Line:
This line talks about adorning oneself with grace and gentleness, as if the body and soul are moisturized, leading to a state of inner beauty and outward elegance. The idea is that true adornment should not be just external; one must cultivate inner virtues to achieve true harmony. Those who have both inner and outer beauty—where actions align with values—will naturally find fortune.
Philosophical Implications for This Line:
- True beauty is not just external appearance; it must be accompanied by moral integrity.
- By maintaining virtues and righteousness, one will attract good fortune, just as someone who is both externally beautiful and morally virtuous will be loved and respected by others.
- In times of peace and prosperity, people who maintain this balance between internal and external beauty will succeed in both their careers and personal relationships.
Change of the Third Line:
The third line of the Bì hexagram changes to the 27th hexagram: Shān léi yí (山雷颐), “Mountain over Thunder,” also known as the “Nourishing” hexagram.
This hexagram is formed by stacking Zhèn (震, Thunder) on the lower trigram and Gèn (艮, Mountain) on the upper trigram. The contrast between Thunder below and Mountain above symbolizes the need to nourish and cultivate oneself with energy from both within and outside. The power of Thunder is used to encourage the growth and cultivation of inner virtues, leading to a balanced and fruitful life.
Philosophical Meaning of the Fourth Line of the Bì Hexagram
Line Text:
Liù sì: Bi rú, pó rú, bái mǎ hàn rú; fěi yì, hūn gòu.
Translation: The fourth line: Adorn yourself gracefully, like the whiteness of a horse galloping swiftly; it is not to fight, but for marriage.
Explanation of the Line:
This line describes decorating oneself in a pure, elegant manner, riding a snow-white steed, and galloping ahead. The person ahead is not an enemy, but the one you are seeking to marry. Dressed in clean and beautiful clothes and riding a white horse, the pursuit is not to engage in battle but to seek a bride. In times of prosperity, personal image during marriage proposals becomes more important. In earlier times, proposals involved more violent or theatrical rituals, but now, people dress neatly and choose more refined, healthy ways to propose—symbolizing the desire for cleanliness and health.
Philosophical Implications for This Line:
- Even when one desires to act quickly, circumstances may delay progress.
- Keeping integrity and simplicity will bring natural peace and blessings.
- Cleanliness and purity are valued; one must avoid arrogance and the pursuit of fleeting desires.
Change of the Fourth Line:
The fourth line of the Bì hexagram changes to the 30th hexagram: Lí wéi huǒ (离为火), “Fire.”
This hexagram is formed by stacking two Lí trigrams (Fire) on top of each other, symbolizing brightness and clarity. The fire burns brightly, symbolizing activity and energy. This hexagram suggests a time of illumination, but with an awareness of its fleeting nature. It calls for persistence and staying true to one’s path while understanding that clarity may eventually fade and turn into darkness.
Philosophical Meaning of the Fifth Line of the Bì Hexagram
Line Text:
Liù wǔ: Bì yú qiū yuán, shù bó yǐ yǐ; lìn, zhōng jí.
Translation: The fifth line: Adorn the hills and gardens, with a small bundle of silk as a gift; although it may bring regret, it will ultimately lead to good fortune.
Explanation of the Line:
This line describes adorning the hills and gardens in a simple, unpretentious manner, presenting a modest gift of silk. While this may not seem impressive at first, it will eventually bring good fortune. The qiū yuán (丘园) refers to a remote, tranquil place, symbolizing a wise hermit or someone who has withdrawn from worldly concerns. Shù bó (束帛) refers to offering silk as a gift, representing a humble offering of value.
Philosophical Implications for This Line:
- In times of difficulty, help will come from unexpected sources, often from friends or capable people outside of your immediate circle.
- Gratitude is the key to turning fortune in your favor. It is not the size of the gift, but the sincerity of thanks that leads to good outcomes.
- Simplifying life and maintaining humility will ultimately lead to success and fulfillment.
Change of the Fifth Line:
The fifth line of the Bì hexagram changes to the 37th hexagram: Fēng huǒ jiā rén (风火家人), “Fire over Wind,” also known as “The Family.”
This hexagram is formed by stacking Fēn (风, Wind) below Lí (火, Fire). It represents the importance of harmony within the family as the foundation for all external actions. True stability starts from home, and when the family is well-organized and harmonious, external ventures will also be prosperous. This hexagram advises focusing on cultivating inner harmony before engaging in larger pursuits.
Philosophical Meaning of the Sixth Line of the Bì Hexagram
Line Text:
Shàng jiǔ: Bái Bi, wú jiù.
Translation: The sixth line: Decorate in white, with no regret.
Explanation of the Line:
This line speaks of decorating with the color white, symbolizing purity and natural simplicity. White, being the color of simplicity and sincerity, serves as the ultimate form of adornment in this line. Despite the usual belief that things taken to extremes become unfavorable, in the case of decoration, simplicity and return to basics represent the highest achievement. This idea can be seen in modern times, where minimalist, single-colored clothing continues to dominate despite the many changes in fashion trends.
Philosophical Implications for This Line:
- When one returns to sincerity and simplicity, they achieve the highest form of adornment.
- True adornment lies not in excess but in purity and clarity of purpose.
- After many changes, simplicity and restraint are ultimately the most enduring and noble expressions.
Change of the Sixth Line:
The sixth line of the Bi hexagram changes to the 36th hexagram: Dì huǒ míng yí (地火明夷), “Earth over Fire,” also known as “Darkness.”
This hexagram is formed by stacking Kūn (坤, Earth) below Lí (火, Fire). It represents a time when brightness (Fire) is obscured by the Earth, symbolizing a time of difficulty, where clarity is hidden and the path forward is uncertain. In such times, it is important to cultivate inner wisdom and avoid unnecessary exposure. The hexagram advises discretion and self-restraint, suggesting that one must wait for the right moment to act, rather than rushing forward blindly.