The Meaning of Hexagram #22

Like a sacred fire lighting up the night sky, hexagram number 22 is about the beauty of form - the grace of the material world. When something is pleasing to the eye, it can fuel success and happiness. This is a favorable time to begin something new, alter one's wardrobe or redecorate. Adornment brings confidence and freedom. Enjoy the shifting appearances, but don't over indulge in them or they will distract you from true value.

NOTE: Want to know how I Ching hexagram #22, "Mountain over Fire", is interpreted for questions about love, marriage and dating? See our special Hexagram #22 Love I Ching interpretation.

Changing Lines in Hexagram #22

Changes in Line 1

"Walking on Foot"

Solutions lie in taking responsibility for each step on the path. It is possible to receive help and guidance from others, but the wise person overlooks the false and heeds only true guidance.

Changes in Line 2

"Appearances"

There is no reason to be overly concerned with outer appearances. The deepest content always starts from within.

Changes in Line 3

"Bettering the Situation"

This line indicates good fortune through persistence. Only a sober attentiveness will bring good charm to the situation.

Changes in Line 4

"Honoring White Horses"

Here, the white horse symbolizes simplicity. In decision making and problem solving, remember to keep simplicity in mind and all limitations of space and time will be transcended.

Changes in Line 5

"Seeking the Higher Path"

The wise individual follows the garden path above the weeds of the superficial lowlands. It is important to take along a gift as you leave for higher ground, but this gift is not of the material kind. It is unseen. Bringing `nothing' may seem like an error initially, but the greatest gifts and fortunes cannot be seen.

Changes in Line 6

"Achieving Pure Grace"

This line is a reminder that the current situation is perfect as it is. It is not hidden by ornament or falsity, so its true power and beauty are available.

The 2 Trigrams Inside Hexagram #22

Hexagram #22 is made of two 3-line trigrams layered above each other. The lower 3 lines of hexagram #22 form the trigram for Fire, while the upper 3 lines form the trigram for Mountain.

NOTE: An easy way to think about the two trigrams is that the upper trigram points to external forces, while the bottom trigram points to internal forces.

Hexagram #22's Lower Trigram of Fire

The warming trigram representing fire is sometimes known by the more classical names, 'Attachment' or 'Dependence'. The fire trigram is associated with illumination and something that is both adapted and a source of warmth and security. Fire may also point to a 'second daughter' or possibly the compass direction of 'south'.

Hexagram #22's Upper Trigram of Mountain

The looming and majestic trigram of the mountain represents stillness and something immobile. The trigram of mountain is powerful, silent and eternal. Simultaneously, its effect is calming and non-combative. The trigram of mountain may also represent a 'third son' or the direction of northeast.

Try a free I Ching Reading

iFate's 100% free online I Ching readings have been called "amazing", "profoundly insightful", and have received five-star reviews from all around the world.
Click here to consult the I Ching. »

List of all possible changes for hexagram #22

A note on iFate's I Ching translation: This is not a direct translation of the original "Book of Changes" from 1000 BC. While multiple translations of the original text are available, they include many archaic references and can be difficult to understand for 21st century readers. iFate uses our own modern rewritings (two different editions) of the "Book of Changes" which makes interpreting I Ching readings far simpler. For iFate's additional contemporary re-writing of the original text, see our "Love I Ching" translation.