Hexagram 22
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：離
Key Themes
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.
Bi: Heng. Small profits lead to big things.
Mountains at sunset, rainbow after rain, beautiful flowers.
Cosmetics, gift wrapping paper, paintings, jewelry, beautiful clothes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
