Hexagram 22: Grace
Beauty, elegance, adornment
| Chinese | 賁 (Bì) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☶ Mountain — Keeping Still (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☲ Fire — The Clinging (Fire) |
| Keywords | grace, beauty, form, clarity |
| Opposite | Hexagram 47: Oppression |
| Inverted | Hexagram 21: Biting Through |
What does Hexagram 22 (Grace) mean?
Grace 賁 (Bì) is hexagram 22 of the I Ching, formed by Mountain (Keeping Still) over Fire (The Clinging). Its theme is beauty, elegance, adornment, with key ideas of grace, beauty, form, clarity. The Judgment reads: “Grace has success. In small matters it is favorable to undertake something.”
The Judgment of Grace
Grace has success. In small matters it is favorable to undertake something.
The Image of Grace
Fire at the foot of the mountain.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 22
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Nine at the beginning
“He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and walks.”
Choosing simple, honest effort over impressive appearances is the most graceful beginning. Walk when walking is right.
Six in the second place
“Lends grace to the beard on his chin.”
Adornment that follows naturally from inner quality, not forced decoration. Grace at the secondary level is appropriate.
Nine in the third place
“Graceful and moist. Constant perseverance brings good fortune.”
Enduring beauty requires ongoing cultivation. Grace sustained through consistent effort remains fresh and vital.
Six in the fourth place
“Grace or simplicity? A white horse comes as if on wings. He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time.”
The choice between elegant form and simple truth resolves in favour of truth. What comes swiftly and purely is not a threat but a gift.
Six in the fifth place
“Grace in hills and gardens. The roll of silk is meager and small. Humiliation, but in the end good fortune.”
Simple, sincere gifts offered in good faith are more valuable than lavish display. Initial awkwardness gives way to genuine appreciation.
Nine at the top
“Simple grace. No blame.”
At the highest level, grace and simplicity merge completely. Unadorned virtue is the ultimate beauty — blameless and complete.
Will Grace answer your question?
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