I CHING HEXAGRAM

Hexagram 22: Grace

Pi · 賁

The beauty of form that adorns and brightens. Grace beautifies life, but does not decide the essential questions.

  • grace
  • beauty
  • form
  • ornament
Upper trigram
Mountain 艮 · Stillness
Lower trigram
Fire 離 · Clarity

The Judgment

GRACE has success. In small matters it is favorable to undertake something.

The Image

Fire at the foot of the mountain. Thus does the superior man proceed: he clears up current affairs, but dares not decide great controversies in this way.

Meaning

The hexagram 'Grace' carries the energy of Mountain (Stillness) acting upon Fire (Clarity). This moment asks for balance between pausing outwardly and clinging inwardly.

In love

In relationships, the interplay suggests stability or blockage combined with warmth and dependence. Check that communication is clear.

In work and business

At work, the energy favors consolidation grounded in intelligence and vision. Consolidate your base.

Symbolism

The image of Mountain above Fire suggests a natural dynamic of stillness over clarity.

The six lines

Lines are counted from the bottom (1) to the top (6). A line is read only when it changes in your cast.

  1. Nine in the 1st place

    First position: the force is still hidden and unripe. The line is seated in the lower trigram, Fire (Clarity) — it acts in the inner world of the figure.

    The beginning of movement. The energy is real, but it is too soon to show yourself or act drastically. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

    The beginning of movement. The energy is real, but it is too soon to show yourself or act drastically. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

  2. Six in the 2nd place

    Second position: receptivity in its proper place. The line is seated in the lower trigram, Fire (Clarity) — it acts in the inner world of the figure.

    Natural balance. Act with correctness and simplicity, without artifice. It stands in its own place and at the center of the trigram: the strongest seat a line can hold, and whatever it asks for, it has the means to sustain. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

    Natural balance. Act with correctness and simplicity, without artifice. It stands in its own place and at the center of the trigram: the strongest seat a line can hold, and whatever it asks for, it has the means to sustain. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

  3. Nine in the 3rd place

    Third position: the dangerous threshold between low and high. The line is seated in the lower trigram, Fire (Clarity) — it acts in the inner world of the figure.

    End of the lower trigram — a critical transition. Excess enthusiasm here breeds mistakes. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

    End of the lower trigram — a critical transition. Excess enthusiasm here breeds mistakes. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

  4. Six in the 4th place

    Fourth position: prudent reserve beside power. The line is seated in the upper trigram, Mountain (Stillness) — it acts in the manifest world of the figure.

    Caution and discretion are the right conduct here. This is not the hour to shine. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

    Caution and discretion are the right conduct here. This is not the hour to shine. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

  5. Six in the 5th place

    Fifth position: ruling through moderation. The line is seated in the upper trigram, Mountain (Stillness) — it acts in the manifest world of the figure.

    Authority exercised with gentleness. Success comes from measure, not from imposition. It stands out of place, yet holds the center of the trigram — centrality offsets the mismatch, so long as measure is kept. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

    Authority exercised with gentleness. Success comes from measure, not from imposition. It stands out of place, yet holds the center of the trigram — centrality offsets the mismatch, so long as measure is kept. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

  6. Nine in the 6th place

    Sixth position: beyond the summit, the excess. The line is seated in the upper trigram, Mountain (Stillness) — it acts in the manifest world of the figure.

    The cycle has reached its end. Insisting past this point turns success into a fall. Withdraw with dignity. It stands out of place: the nature of the line does not match the position, so it demands more awareness than talent. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

    The cycle has reached its end. Insisting past this point turns success into a fall. Withdraw with dignity. It stands out of place: the nature of the line does not match the position, so it demands more awareness than talent. And all of this inside the figure of Grace — the matter is grace: that is the theme this line is changing.

Frequently asked questions

What does hexagram 22 mean?

Grace (Pi): The hexagram 'Grace' carries the energy of Mountain (Stillness) acting upon Fire (Clarity). This moment asks for balance between pausing outwardly and clinging inwardly.

What does hexagram 22 say about love?

In relationships, the interplay suggests stability or blockage combined with warmth and dependence. Check that communication is clear.

What does hexagram 22 say about work?

At work, the energy favors consolidation grounded in intelligence and vision. Consolidate your base.