Hexagram 27 · Line 1
Nourishment — 初九
Yi · Chu Jiu
初九 · Chu Jiu
The Line
You let your magic tortoise go and look at me with drooping corners of the mouth. Misfortune!
Interpretation
The magic tortoise is a being that needs no earthly nourishment, but possesses such magic power that it can live on air. The image says that, according to one's kind and position, one could very well live freely and independently out of oneself. Instead, one renounces this inner independence and looks up with envy and displeasure to others who have it better outwardly. But this low envy only provokes mockery and contempt in the other. This is evil.