贲
22. Grace
bì; Form and beauty
Judgment
贲：亨。小利有攸往。
Success. In small matters it is favourable to undertake something. Form and beauty help—but never replace substance.
Image
山下有火，贲；君子以明庶政，无敢折狱。
Fire at the foot of the mountain: the image of grace. The noble person clarifies current affairs, but dares not decide controversial issues on appearances.
Lines
- Line 1, yang (nine)
初九：贲其趾，舍车而徒。
He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage and walks. Prefer substance to show.
- Line 2, yin (six)
六二：贲其须。
Lends grace to the beard on his chin. Ornament exists only attached to substance.
- Line 3, yang (nine)
九三：贲如濡如，永贞吉。
Graceful and moist; constant perseverance brings good fortune. In good times, don't get lost in form.
- Line 4, yin (six)
六四：贲如皤如，白马翰如，匪寇婚媾。
Grace or simplicity? A white horse comes as if on wings: not a robber, a suitor. From ornament back to simplicity; the sincere newcomer is a partner.
- Line 5, yin (six)
六五：贲于丘园，束帛戋戋，吝，终吉。
Grace in hills and gardens; the roll of silk is meagre and small. Humiliation, but in the end good fortune. Sincere simplicity beats luxury.
- Line 6, yang (nine)
上九：白贲，无咎。
Simple grace: no blame. The highest beauty is plainness.
In the enterprise
The hexagram of brand, design, image and communication: rebranding, visual identity, luxury positioning, investor roadshows. The top line, 'white grace', is the Eastern statement of minimalism: the highest ornament is none.
Psychological lens
Resonates with the aesthetic-usability effect and the halo effect, while warning that excessive impression management erodes authenticity.
Related hexagrams
40. 解 Deliverance
Lines 2–4 and 3–5: the hidden dynamics inside the situation.Opposite
47. 困 Oppression
Every line reversed: the shadow side and blind spots.Inverse
21. 噬嗑 Biting Through
The figure turned upside down: the counterpart's or stakeholder's view.King Wen pair
21. 噬嗑 Biting Through
Situations in the library that use this hexagram
- Differentiation or cost leadership Enterprise, Line 6, yang (nine)
- MVP vs. perfectionism Enterprise, Line 1, yang (nine)
- Balancing digital and human service Enterprise, Line 3, yang (nine)
- Rebranding Enterprise, Line 4, yin (six)
- CSRD reporting Enterprise, Line 6, yang (nine)
- Showrooms and brand spaces Enterprise, Judgment
- Perfectionism Individuals, Line 6, yang (nine)
- Certificates or real ability? Individuals, Line 1, yang (nine)
- Building a personal brand Individuals, Line 3, yang (nine)
- Spending on luxury Individuals, Line 5, yin (six)
- Posture and appearance Individuals, Line 2, yin (six)
- Online persona vs. real self Individuals, Line 4, yin (six)
Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.