Mountain above – Fire below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Bi which includes concepts of decoration, embellishing, beautifying and making graceful. Other names for Bi are Adorning, Adornment, Grace, Elegance, Beauty. Bi addresses issues of something or someone’s surface appearance compared with the inner dimensions and the impact interior/exterior have on each other.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Fire is below (the bottom 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Fire enlightens and gives clarity, thus providing intelligence, order and the ability for discernment. Fire can create or destroy, but it also endows creation with the vital life energy which humans recognize as beautiful.
Trigram Mountain is on top of trigram Fire, shown by the top 3 lines of the image below right. Mountain represents the form of a creation, resting in the shape it has taken on. Fire at the bottom of Mountain shows the individual, tangible form of a creation being lit up from within. In this way, Mountain (form) is enhanced.
The ancient ideograph is on the left portion of the image below shows adornment or beauty. The top 3 images show sprouts of grass while the lower portion shows a cowrie shell. Ancient peoples utilized the shells as ornaments or a form of currency. Another interpretation shows a plant in a container signifying beauty.
In summary: The outer tangible reality may be called “form”, represented by Mountain, and the inner dimension may be called “essence”, represented by Fire in this hexagram. We see real beauty when there is vitality, warmth, balance and order showing through a creature or creation. The hexagram theme shows how to utilize adornment, appearance or beauty and gives guidance on how not be too influenced by the outer view. The ideal is to adorn the appearance (outer form) without detracting from the essence and/or to enhance the inner essence and thereby improve the appearance.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – At the beginning, one may be tempted to utilize some type of artificial or sophisticated methods or “machinery” to enhance themselves, ensuring personal comfort and attracting admiration. Ancient diviners suggest the best path is to stand and move forward using your own unadorned feet (inner essence) at this time.
Line 2 – Adornment is only of value if it does not interfere with inner essence. When introducing adornment (such as growing a beard or one’s hair as improvement), there is a process that must play out over time. Patience is suggested, but beyond that, one should not make the appearance of beard/hair or whatever is growing the only focus. Remember to nurture inner essence in the waiting time to make sure it is also healthy and vital.
Line 3 – There is a risk of overdoing adornment, perhaps due to having good luck or comfortable, favorable life circumstances. One may enjoy the circumstances as long as they are able to maintain their essence along with the ornamentation. Guidance suggests if one is able to continually watch they do not move too much to either side (overly soft or overly rigid), this will prove to be auspicious.
Line 4 – Showing genuine essence, even if it looks less ornamental, will have and display the more desirable feeling of trustworthiness and honor. The situation is still unfolding and, although unclear at this time, every moment still has its own validity.
Line 5 – Enhancing the internal essence means, in part, being sincere and realistic in what you have to offer. Offerings made from such a stance turn the concept “less is more” into reality and your value to yourself and others increases.
Line 6 – This position indicates the ability to place a priority of inner beauty and simplicity above external ornamentation. The ultimate significance of the hexagram is adding grace to one’s inner essence in a way that enhances it so that if, in the course of time, the exterior gets worn or rusty, the inner essence still shines.