Hexagram 22

Grace

Decoration, adornment, beautification

The wisdom of the Bi hexagram is to remind us that beauty is important, but it can never replace reality. A person's character and the quality of a product are always fundamental. Literary decoration should serve the substance, rather than override it.

Trigram Structure

䷕, Gen above, Li below

Palace

Key Themes

Decoration, adornment, beautification

Situational Guidance

The wisdom of the Bi hexagram is to remind us that beauty is important, but it can never replace reality. A person's character and the quality of a product are always fundamental. Literary decoration should serve the substance, rather than override it.

Judgement

Bi: Heng. Small profits lead to big things.

Natural Symbolism

Mountains at sunset, rainbow after rain, beautiful flowers.

Associated Objects

Cosmetics, gift wrapping paper, paintings, jewelry, beautiful clothes.

Life Application & Summary

The wisdom of the Bi hexagram is to remind us that beauty is important, but it can never replace reality. A person's character and the quality of a product are always fundamental. Literary decoration should serve the substance, rather than override it.

Line-by-line Interpretation

Line 1

Bend his toes, abandon the cart and walk away.

Guidance

Only decorating the surface, abandoning the cart and walking; this is in accordance with the way.

Modern Insight

This is the most fundamental decoration—cultivating your own character. You do not care about external luxury (cart), but choose to be down-to-earth and rely on your own strength to move forward. This is a return to simplicity, using virtue as decoration—the most noble.

Line 2

Bend his whiskers.

Guidance

Adorning your whiskers, following superiors to seek fame.

Modern Insight

Whiskers are attached to the chin; they cannot exist independently. This metaphor means your decoration is to attach to or follow others. Like subordinates deliberately adorning themselves to complement their superiors. This is not absolutely good or bad, but shows you lack independence.

Line 3

Bi Ru, Ru Ru, Yong Zhenji.

Guidance

Adorned appropriately, smooth and bright; maintaining the right path brings fortune.

Modern Insight

This is the perfect state of being refined both inside and out. Your appearance is appropriate, and your inner self is equally substantial. External beauty and inner virtue reflect each other. This is the ideal way of adornment.

Line 4

Bi Ru, Bao Ru, White Horse Han Ru. Bandits, marriage.

Guidance

Adornment and simplicity coexist; the situation is complex, ultimately no fault.

Modern Insight

You are at a moment when you need to make an important choice; the situation is somewhat complex, making you suspicious. This line tells you to cast aside gorgeous adornment and return to the most simple and sincere state (white), so you can see the essence of things and make the right judgment.

Line 5

Ben in Qiuyuan, bundled with silk and silk. Being stingy means good luck in the end.

Guidance

Simple adornment; though there are shortcomings, ultimately auspicious.

Modern Insight

You hold a high position and go to visit a reclusive sage. You do not use luxurious pomp, but the most simple and sincere way to express respect. This attitude of valuing substance over form, though seemingly not grand enough, can truly win the hearts of the wise.

Line 6

Bai Ben, no fault.

Guidance

Returning to simplicity, without adornment, is the highest realm; no fault.

Modern Insight

This is the highest realm of the Bi hexagram—the ultimate beauty is without decoration. When all brilliant colors fade, the remaining purity and simplicity are the most profound and moving beauty. This represents that you have transcended the pursuit of external form and reached the realm of "clear water produces lotus, natural without carving."

Grace · Hexagram 22 | Purplestarmapper