Hexagram 27 (Shan Lei Yi): Meaning and Application in the I Ching

What is the Shan Lei Yi Hexagram?

The Shan Lei Yi hexagram (山雷頤) is the 27th of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed from two single trigrams: the lower trigram is Lei (Zhen, thunder) and the upper trigram is Shan (Gen, mountain). The image of the hexagram is thunder stirring at the foot of the mountain, evoking movement and awakening within the stillness and steadiness of the mountains.

The name "Yi" (頤) means the chin, the cheek area, the lower jaw. From this, the Yi hexagram relates to eating and nourishment. However, the meaning of the hexagram does not stop at nourishing the body; it extends to nourishing the spirit, morality and wisdom, and also to the way one nourishes others.

What is the structure and symbolic meaning of the Shan Lei Yi hexagram?

What does the Thoan text of the Shan Lei Yi hexagram mean?

The Thoan text of the Yi hexagram says: "Yi, zhen ji. Guan Yi, zi qiu kou shi" (頤，貞吉。觀頤，自求口實). A rough translation is: "The Yi hexagram: holding to the upright way brings good fortune. Observe nourishment, seek food for one's own mouth."

This line of the classic emphasises self-reliance in nourishing oneself. Each person needs to seek the sources of material and spiritual nourishment for themselves in a rightful way, rather than waiting for or depending on others. "Zhen" (uprightness) here is nourishing in the right way, in accordance with what is right, without greed and without excess.

What do the line texts of the Shan Lei Yi hexagram say about the process of nourishment?

The six lines of the Yi hexagram describe in detail the different stages and methods of nourishment:

• The First Line (初九): "She er ling gui, guan wo duo yi" (捨爾靈龜，觀我朵頤). This line warns about abandoning one's own wonderful capacity for self-nourishment (like the sacred turtle that can go without eating) in order to gaze enviously at what others eat. This is advice to hold firm to self-mastery, and not to be jealous of or dependent on others.
• The Second Line (六二): "Dian Yi, fu jing, yu qiu yi, zheng xiong" (顛頤，拂經，于丘頤，征凶). Nourishment is turned upside down, contrary to the ordinary way, and seeking out someone high above (referring to the top line) to beg from is ominous. The advice is to re-examine one's own way of living.
• The Third Line (六三): "Fu Yi, zhen xiong, shi nian wu yong, wu you li" (拂頤，貞凶，十年勿用，無攸利). A wrong method of nourishment, even if one holds to the upright way, meets with misfortune. This line emphasises keeping away from vulgar and improper desires, because they bring long-lasting consequences.
• The Fourth Line (六四): "Dian Yi, ji. Hu shi zhen zhu, qi yu zhu zhu, wu jiu" (顛頤，吉。虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，無咎). Being nourished from below (receiving nourishment from those beneath) is instead auspicious. This line depicts a tiger gazing intently, with a fierce desire to pursue, yet without fault, because that is rightful, earnest nourishment.
• The Fifth Line (六五): "Fu jing, ju zhen ji, bu ke she da shi" (拂經，居貞吉，不可涉大川). Being in a position of leadership but unable to nourish oneself, one must rely on those of talent and virtue beneath one. Holding to the upright way brings good fortune, but one should not undertake great, risky affairs.
• The Top Line (上九): "You Yi, li ji, li she da chuan" (由頤，厲吉，利涉大川). Being able to nourish everyone, though in a dangerous position, is still auspicious, and favourable for undertaking great affairs. This is the image of the sage, who has the responsibility of nourishing and leading the whole world.

How is the Shan Lei Yi hexagram applied in life?

Nourishing oneself: speech and action

The Tuong commentary of the Yi hexagram says: "Shan xia you lei, Yi. Jun zi yi shen yan yu, jie yin shi" (山下有雷，頤。君子以慎言語，節飲食). That is, beneath the mountain there is thunder, the image of the Yi hexagram. The noble person, seeing this, is cautious in speech and moderate in eating and drinking.

This is an extremely profound and practical lesson. Speech is the main path of communication, but it is also a source of disaster. "Illness enters through the mouth, disaster comes out of the mouth." Being cautious in speech does not mean staying silent; it means speaking at the right time, in the right place, truthfully, and bringing positive value. Likewise, eating and drinking need moderation and balance to preserve physical health and to keep away from excessive material temptations.

How does one nourish the spirit and the intellect?

The Yi hexagram does not stop at eating and drinking; it also points to nourishing the soul. Reading books, learning and reflecting are ways of nourishing the intellect. Practising virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness are ways of nourishing morality. The hexagram emphasises that each person needs a sense of self-awareness in cultivating themselves, turning the process of nourishment into a proactive and continuous action.

Nourishing others and social responsibility

The Yi hexagram also mentions nourishing others. In the family, parents raise their children not only materially but also morally and in their way of living. In society, leaders need to take responsibility for nourishing and creating conditions for the people to develop. Nourishing others in the right way will create a harmonious and sustainable society.

What is the lesson about self-mastery and not depending on others?

One of the most important messages of the Yi hexagram is self-mastery. The first line offers the image of the sacred turtle, a creature that can live long without needing to eat much, as a symbol of being at ease with oneself. The lesson drawn is that people need to bring their own inner strength into play, to seek and create value for themselves, and not to wait for handouts from outside. Self-mastery in finance, thought and spirit is the foundation for a steady life.

Quick reference table: the Shan Lei Yi hexagram

The figures in the table match the results of the reference tools on Nhật Nguyệt.