Yang Yin Yin Yang Yin Yang

22. Bì 賁

GRACE, ADORNMENT, BEAUTY, DECORATION

Key Concepts: charm, elegance, glow, presentation, clarity

Seek harmony and beauty not only on the outside but also within. Be adequate to the situation and your surroundings.

At the top is the trigram Gen (Mountain), below is the trigram Li (Fire). The metaphorical image of this hexagram is the sun that has just risen at dawn or is setting at twilight, or a bonfire at the foot of a mountain, illuminating and emphasizing its beauty. Such natural beauty can bring immense benefit and inspiration, although we should not perceive only the external side — it's important to remember about internal beauty as well.
True beauty is inside, as indicated by the interaction of trigrams – Fire under the Mountain. External decorations, both literally and metaphorically, should not receive more attention than internal beauty. Remember, a person possessing internal elegance and charisma will look natural and relaxed even in simple clothing, whereas internal emptiness cannot be masked by any external means.
In China, it is said: 'If nature prevails over culture – a person is savage. If culture prevails over nature - a person is weak'. This hexagram points to the importance of a harmonious combination of form and content, external and internal substance. One should be adequate to the situation and one's current environment both internally and externally.
As the ancient sages said: 'The way of a man is manifest and easily seen. With some talent and intelligence, a person is capable of figuring it out. As for the Way of Heaven, a true mentor is needed to orally convey the tradition and pass it from heart to heart'. To be equal to oneself not only internally but also externally – that is what this hexagram talks about. The choice in favor of form or content, which we often have to make, should be replaced by the search for harmony of both. Form is no less important than content, and beauty is one of the main values in a person's life.

I Ching Talking

Decoration and kindness. In the case of divination about eternity - happiness!

Hexagram Line Descriptions

Yang
You will adorn these toes. Leave the chariot and go [on foot].
Rejecting vanity brings liberation and accelerates your search
Yin
You will adorn this beard and mustache.
Your values allow you to rise above the world of external manifestations
Yin
Disheveled. Colorfulness. Eternal steadfastness leads to happiness.
For the heart, internal beauty eclipses all external splendor
Yang
Disheveled. Whiteness. The white horse is truly winged. Were it not for the robber, there would be marriage.
Those who truly earn the respect of others rarely put much effort into it
Yin
Decoration in the garden on the hill. The bundles [of presented silk] are meager. Regret. In the end - happiness.
Practicality and freedom from boasting will make success accessible
Yang
There will be no slander. White decoration.
Simplicity and honesty will bring you closer to achieving your goal
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