  Resonant soft x-ray Bragg diffraction at the Dy M4,5 edges has been exploited
to study Dy multipole motifs in DyB2C2. Our results are explained introducing
the intra-atomic quadrupolar interaction between the core 3d and valence 4f
shell. This allows us to determine for the first time higher order multipole
moments of dysprosium $4f$ electrons and to draw their precise charge density.
The Dy hexadecapole and hexacontatetrapole moment have been estimated at -20%
and +30% of the quadrupolar moment, respectively. No evidence for the lock-in
of the orbitals at T_N has been observed, in contrast to earlier suggestions.
The multipolar interaction and the structural transition cooperate along c but
they compete in the basal plane explaining the canted structure along [110].
