Hexagram 27: Nourishment

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 27 in plain words

The mountain sits above thunder. The shape of the hexagram is an open mouth: a strong line at the top and bottom like lips or jaws, and yielding lines in between. Thunder moves below, the mountain holds still above, like the lower jaw moving while the upper jaw rests. Tradition reads this as nourishment in every sense, and says that if you watch what someone seeks to nourish and how, you can understand them.

In your situation, the question is what you are feeding. Your energy, attention, and words all nourish something. Moderation matters: careful speech and moderate habits are the traditional advice. Look also at where your support comes from. Depending on the wrong source, or envying what others have instead of using your own resources, leads you astray. At the same time, those who have enough are called to nourish others, and the hexagram honors the person who provides for many. Ask whether what you take in builds you up or drains you, and whether what you give helps others grow. Steady, sincere nourishment, chosen with care, creates lasting strength.

The judgment

Î indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.

Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).

The image

(The trigram representing) a mountain and under it that for thunder form Î. The superior man, in accordance with this, (enjoins) watchfulness over our words, and the temperate regulation of our eating and drinking.

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

In plain words: Thunder stirs at the foot of the mountain, like a jaw that moves to chew. Watch what comes out of your mouth and what goes into it: careful words and moderate habits.

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, (seems to be thus addressed), 'You leave your efficacious tortoise, and look at me till your lower jaw hangs down.' There will be evil.

You let your own magic tortoise go and stare at someone else's meal. Envying others instead of using your own resources leads to misfortune.

Line 2

The second SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for nourishment, which is contrary to what is proper; or seeking it from the height (above), advance towards which will lead to evil.

You seek support from the top of the hill, in the wrong place. Turning away from proper sources and relying on others this way goes badly.

Line 3

The third SIX, divided, shows one acting contrary to the method of nourishing. However firm he may be, there will be evil. For ten years let him not take any action, (for) it will not be in any way advantageous.

You turn away from real nourishment. Chasing what does not sustain you brings misfortune for a long time: change course.

Line 4

The fourth SIX, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger's downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error.

You seek help from above in order to nourish others, watching keenly like a tiger. Asking for support to serve a good aim brings good fortune.

Line 5

The fifth SIX, divided, shows one acting contrary to what is regular and proper; but if he abide in firmness, there will be good fortune. He should not, (however, try to) cross the great stream.

You leave the usual path because you need help yourself. Stay steady and rely on someone wiser, but do not take on anything too large now.

Line 6 (top)

The sixth NINE, undivided, shows him from whom comes the nourishing. His position is perilous, but there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream.

You are the source others draw nourishment from. Stay aware of the responsibility and you can take on great tasks with good fortune.

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 27 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 27 in love and relationships

In love, ask what each of you gives and receives, and whether it truly nourishes the bond. Kind words and steady care feed a relationship more than grand gestures.

Hexagram 27 for work and decisions

At work, look at what fuels you and what drains you, and at whom you support. Choose good sources of learning and help, and speak and act with care.

Questions