Hexagram 27 The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment) Love Meaning

Love Meaning

The exchange of emotional energy and verbal communication between partners.

What this page covers

  • Hexagram 27 The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment) love meaning
  • The practical judgment for this aspect
  • Actions to take and risks to avoid

How To Choose

Choose the entry that matches your question first: overall for the broad trend, career for work decisions, love for relationship questions, and wealth for money matters.

Wisdom

Perseverance in nurturing the bond brings good fortune, provided the nourishment comes from a place of sincerity and mutual support.

The Nature of Nourishment

Love is viewed as a form of sustenance in Hexagram 27. Just as the body needs food to survive, the soul needs affection, understanding, and care to flourish within a relationship. This hexagram urges you to consider if you are providing the kind of emotional support that helps your partner grow, or if you are merely consuming their energy to satisfy your own immediate hungers.

Communication and Intimacy

The imagery of the "corners of the mouth" points directly to speech and the physical expression of intimacy. Words are powerful vehicles for nourishment; gentle, encouraging, and honest words build trust and closeness. Conversely, harsh criticism or constant demands act as poison, starving the relationship of the warmth it needs to survive.

Boundaries and Sources

A critical theme in Hexagram 27 is the source of one's nourishment. In relationships, it is vital to draw emotional strength from the bond itself rather than straying outside to find validation. Turning away from your partner to seek fulfillment elsewhere—whether through fantasy, attention from others, or isolation—leads to misfortune and weakens the connection.

Missteps to Avoid

Avoid the mistake described in the first line of letting go of your own unique value while envying what others possess. Do not act out of insatiable craving or demand that your partner fill every void in your life without offering anything in return. Acting like a "tiger with insatiable craving" can be intimidating and destructive to the delicate balance of love.

A thought arises, a world unfolds. Continue on Yinsight.

Start Dialogue

The Six Lines

Nine at the beginning

You let your magic tortoise go, and look at me with the corners of your mouth drooping. Misfortune.

Six in the second place

Turning to the summit for nourishment, deviating from the path to seek nourishment from the hill. Continuing to do this brings misfortune.

Six in the third place

Turning away from nourishment. Perseverance brings misfortune. Do not act thus for ten years. Nothing furthers.

Six in the fourth place

Turning to the summit for provision of nourishment brings good fortune. Spying about with sharp eyes like a tiger with insatiable craving. No blame.

Six in the fifth place

Turning away from the path. To remain persevering brings good fortune. One should not cross the great water.

Nine at the top

The source of nourishment. Awareness of danger brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.