# Hexagram 27 · Yí (颐) · Nourishment

> **GuaCard #27 (Steady)**: Notice what you feed, and what feeds you. / 留意你滋养什么，以及什么在滋养你。

The image is of an open mouth, and the theme is nourishment. Notice what you are feeding: your body, your mind, and the people in your care. Be careful with your words and moderate in what you take in. What you nourish well is what grows.

_Editorial summary_

## Judgment

頤：貞吉。觀頤，自求口實。

Î indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.

## Line 1

初九：舍爾靈龜，觀我朶頤，凶。

The first line, undivided, (seems to be thus addressed), ‘You leave your efficacious tortoise, and look at me till your lower jaw hangs down.’ There will be evil.

## Line 2

六二：顛頤，拂經，于丘頤，征凶。

The second line, divided, shows one looking downwards for nourishment, which is contrary to what is proper; or seeking it from the height (above), advance towards which will lead to evil.

## Line 3

六三：拂頤，貞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。

The third line, divided, shows one acting contrary to the method of nourishing. However firm he may be, there will be evil. For ten years let him not take any action, (for) it will not be in any way advantageous.

## Line 4

六四：顛頤吉，虎視耽耽，其欲逐逐，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger’s downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.

## Line 5

六五：拂經，居貞吉，不可涉大川。

The fifth line, divided, shows one acting contrary to what is regular and proper; but if he abide in firmness, there will be good fortune. He should not, (however, try to) cross the great stream.

## Line 6

上九：由頤，厲吉，利涉大川。

The sixth line, undivided, shows him from whom comes the nourishing. His position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream.

## Sources

- [周易 · 中文原文（Ruism Digital Library）](https://ruism.org/library/classic-of-changes/27#27.1)
- [James Legge, The Yî King (1882), Sacred Books of the East, XVI](https://ruism.org/library/classic-of-changes/27#27.1)