bìAlso known as “Grace” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Pî” (Legge)
adornmentgraceform
In plain words
Fire at the foot of the mountain: beauty lighting the forms of things. Success in small matters through grace and style; ornament should serve substance, not replace it.
The attitude it asks for
Refine presentation and manners, but settle big questions on substance; in the end plain white is the highest adornment.
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).
(When it is said that) Pî indicates that there should be free course (in what it denotes):—
(We see) the weak line coming and ornamenting the strong lines (of the lower trigram), and hence (it is said that ornament) 'should have free course.' On the other hand, the strong line above ornaments the weak ones (of the upper trigram), and hence (it is said) that 'there will be little advantage, if (ornament) be allowed to advance (and take the lead).' (This is illustrated in the) appearances that ornament the sky.
Elegance and intelligence (denoted by the lower trigram) regulated by the arrest (denoted by the upper) suggest the observances that adorn human (society).
We look at the ornamental figures of the sky, and thereby ascertain the changes of the seasons. We look at the ornamental observances of society, and understand how the processes of transformation are accomplished all under heaven.
The Image
山下有火，賁；君子以明庶政，无敢折獄。
(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.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
白賁，无咎。
The sixth line, undivided, shows one with white as his (only) ornament. There will be no error.
Its symbolism
白賁无咎，上得志也。
'The freedom from error attached to (the subject of) the topmost line, with no ornament but the (simple white),' shows how he has attained his aim.
The fifth line, 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.
Its symbolism
六五之吉，有喜也。
'The good fortune falling to the fifth line, divided,' affords occasion for joy.
The fourth line, 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.
Its symbolism
六四，當位疑也。匪寇婚媾，終无尤也。
'The place occupied by the fourth line, divided,' affords ground for doubt (as to its subject); but '(as the subject of the third pursues) not as a robber, but as intent on a matrimonial alliance,' he will in the end have no grudge against him.
The third line, 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.
Its symbolism
永貞之吉，終莫之陵也。
'The good fortune consequent on his ever maintaining firm correctness' is due to this,—that to the end no one will insult him.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 22, Adornment, mean?
Fire at the foot of the mountain: beauty lighting the forms of things. Success in small matters through grace and style; ornament should serve substance, not replace it.
Which trigrams form Adornment?
艮 above 離 — mountain over fire. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 解 Release.
What happens when a line of Adornment changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Adornment in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — - - — - - - - — is Adornment. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.