Hexagram 22: Grace

Written by Orbitarot · Sources: James Legge, The Yi King (The I Ching), 1882 (judgment and lines); plain readings our own · Updated October 7, 2026

Hexagram 22 in plain words

The mountain sits above fire. A fire burns at the foot of the mountain and lights it up, showing its shape and color. It is lovely, but the light reaches only so far: it shows the surface, not the depth. Tradition describes this hexagram as adornment, the art that gives shape and charm to what would otherwise be plain. It favors small undertakings, and warns against using grace to settle large or serious questions.

In your situation, presentation matters, and attention to detail can make a real difference. Taking care with how you speak, dress, or present your work is worthwhile. But the hexagram asks you not to confuse the look of a thing with the thing itself. A polished surface can hide a weak foundation, and good form cannot decide hard cases. Let style serve content. As the lines move upward, the decoration grows simpler, and the highest line ends in plain white: the greatest grace is the absence of excess. Value beauty, but rest your choices on substance and honesty.

The judgment

Pî indicates that there should be free course (in what it denotes). There will be little advantage (however) if it be allowed to advance (and take the lead).

Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).

The image

(The trigram representing) a mountain and that for fire under it form Pî. The superior man, in accordance with this, throws a brilliancy around his various processes of government, but does not dare (in a similar way) to decide cases of criminal litigation.

From Legge's Appendix II (the Great Symbolism), The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882 (public domain).

In plain words: Fire glows at the foot of a mountain and makes it beautiful. Polish and grace help with everyday matters, but do not let appearances decide the serious questions.

The six lines

Read only the lines that changed in your reading. Lines are counted from the bottom.

Line 1 (bottom)

The first NINE, undivided, shows one adorning (the way of) his feet. He can discard a carriage and walk on foot.

You give grace to your toes and walk rather than ride. Choose the modest path that fits you, even if a fancier one is offered.

Line 2

The second SIX, divided, shows one adorning his beard.

You groom your beard. Attending to appearance is fine, but form must follow the substance it adorns.

Line 3

The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject with the appearance of being adorned and bedewed (with rich favours). But let him ever maintain his firm correctness, and there will be good fortune.

Graceful and glowing, as if moist with dew. Enjoy the moment, but stay steady and true so the charm does not lull you.

Line 4

The fourth SIX, divided, shows one looking as if adorned, but only in white. As if (mounted on) a white horse, and furnished with wings, (he seeks union with the subject of the first line), while (the intervening third pursues), not as a robber, but intent on a matrimonial alliance.

Grace or plainness? A white horse arrives as if on wings. Someone sincere approaches for an honest union; choose simplicity.

Line 5

The fifth SIX, divided, shows its subject adorned by (the occupants of) the heights and gardens. He bears his roll of silk, small and slight. He may appear stingy; but there will be good fortune in the end.

Grace in the hills and gardens, with only a small roll of silk to give. Your offering may look modest, but sincerity counts and it ends well.

Line 6 (top)

The sixth NINE, undivided, shows one with white as his (only) ornament. There will be no error.

Simple, plain grace. When decoration falls away and only the true remains, there is no blame.

Related hexagrams

All three relations have traditional Chinese names (cuo gua for the opposite, zong gua for the inverse, hu gua for the nuclear). Many modern readers use the opposite as the shadow side of a situation, the inverse as the same moment seen from the other side, and the nuclear hexagram as its inner core.

If one line changes

With a single changing line, hexagram 22 turns into:

Learn more: what the I Ching is, how to read changing lines, the eight trigrams, how to cast with coins or yarrow.

Hexagram 22 in love and relationships

In love, this hexagram enjoys charm and romance, which have their place. Make sure that beneath the pleasant surface there is honest affection and real connection.

Hexagram 22 for work and decisions

At work, presentation and polish can help a small project or proposal. For big decisions, look past appearances at the content and the facts.

Questions