I Ching hexagram
22. Public Image
賁Bì
Mountain over Fire
Also called Persona, Grace, The Symbol of Decoration, Elegance, Gracefulness, Luxuriance, Adorning, Adornment, Beauty, Conceit, Vanity, Veneer, Façade, Manners, Embellishment, Superficiality, Superficial Appearances, Form vs. Function, "Art, " Ego-trips, "Often refers to conceit, vanity or beauty. It stresses that the content is more important than the outward appearance." -- D.F. Hook
Hexagram 22, Public Image (賁 Bì) is formed by Mountain over Fire. It is also known as Persona, Grace, The Symbol of Decoration, Elegance, Gracefulness, Luxuriance, Adorning, Adornment.
Legge
Read as
The judgment
Legge
亨。小利有攸往。
Persona should be given its due, but there is no advantage in allowing it to advance and take the lead.
The six lines
line 1 is at the bottom
- Line 1Yang
賁其趾，舍車而徒。
Advance using your own strength and steer clear of deceptive appearances, shortcuts, or showy behavior. It’s crucial that you depend on your true value at this moment.
- Line 2Yin
賁其須。
Focusing on elegance for its own sake is pointless now; it's merely superficial. If you concentrate more on the outer form than on the substance within, you’ll miss the essence of this moment.
- Line 3Yang
賁如濡如，永貞吉。
You are experiencing a time of exceptional grace and good fortune. Don’t let this make you complacent, as that could lead to dissatisfaction. Keep striving in your efforts and adhere to your principles.
- Line 4Yin
賁如皤如，白馬翰如，匪寇婚媾。
You face a choice between two routes: one that emphasizes decoration and external glamour, and another that values simplicity and inner worth. Your reflections indicate a desire for a deeper relationship with your true self. Choosing simplicity will foster more meaningful connections with others and enhance your self-awareness.
- Line 5Yin
賁于丘園，束帛戔戔，吝，終吉。
You might want to strengthen a bond with someone you admire, yet you feel your contributions are not significant enough to attract their attention. However, your genuine feelings of friendship and sincere intentions are what truly count. Your true value will be acknowledged, and you will experience good fortune.
- Line 6Yang
白賁，无咎。
You can now depend on the authenticity of your true self to shine externally. You no longer need to rely on pretenses or embellishments to achieve your objectives. Embracing simplicity is the path forward, ensuring you don’t make errors.
When this hexagram changes
These are the moves that have come up most often in readings. Each page keeps the book text.
Use this hexagram in a reading
These are the same judgment and lines that appear when hexagram 22 comes up in a cast. Ask a question to see which lines change, or keep a journal of your readings. The throw uses the odds of three coins: how a reading is cast.