Hexagram 27 The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment) Meaning and Interpretation
Judgment
The Corners of the Mouth. Perseverance brings good fortune. Pay heed to the providing of nourishment and to what a man seeks to fill his own mouth with.
Hexagram 27, The Corners of the Mouth, emphasizes the critical importance of choosing the right sources of physical and spiritual nourishment.
What this page covers
- Hexagram 27 The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment) core meaning and judgment
- How to read the hexagram in a real decision
- Related love, career, and wealth interpretations
How To Choose
Start with the judgment, then read the overall interpretation, compare the love and career angles, and finish with the six lines to ground the answer in specific movement.
Use this when the question is about work direction, role changes, collaboration, or how to push a plan forward.
Use this when the question is about relationship tone, communication, boundaries, or whether to move closer or slow down.
Use this when the question is about money flow, spending decisions, investment rhythm, or financial risk.
Wisdom
Hexagram 27, The Corners of the Mouth, represents a time to examine the quality of what you consume and what you project into the world.
Current State
You are in a position where the sustainability of your progress relies on the quality of your intake. Just as the body needs good food to thrive, your mind and spirit require positive influences. There is an open mouth depicted in the symbol, suggesting a vulnerability that requires careful management to prevent harmful elements from entering.
Main Tendency
The prevailing energy urges you to look deeper at your motivations and desires. There is a risk of drifting toward what is easy rather than what is right. The tendency is to seek fulfillment externally, but the hexagram advises finding stability through proper discipline and by aligning yourself with virtuous sources of support.
Opportunities
This is an excellent time to reform your lifestyle, start a new course of study, or improve your physical health. By consciously choosing high-quality nourishment, you can transform your outlook and increase your capacity to help others. The opportunity lies in becoming a source of strength and wisdom for those around you.
Risks
The primary risk is spiritual or physical malnutrition resulting from poor choices. If you ignore the need for wholesome inputs and continue to feed on negativity or junk, you will face misfortune. Additionally, careless speech or gossip can damage your reputation and relationships, acting as a poison rather than a cure.
The Six Lines
You let your magic tortoise go, and look at me with the corners of your mouth drooping. Misfortune.
Turning to the summit for nourishment, deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill. Continuing to do this brings misfortune.
Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. Do not act thus for ten years. Nothing furthers.
Turning to the summit for provision of nourishment brings good fortune. Spying about with sharp eyes like a tiger with insatiable craving. No blame.
Turning away from the path. To remain persevering brings good fortune. One should not cross the great water.
The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.