Hexagram 36 明夷 - MÍNG YÍ / THE DARKENING OF THE LIGHT
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Trigrams#
- Above Kūn, the Receptive, Earth
- Below Lí, the Clinging, Fire
Here the sun has sunk under the earth and is therefore darkened. The name of the hexagram literally means “wounding of the bright”; hence, the individual lines frequently speak of wounding. The situation is the exact opposite of the previous hexagram. There, a wise man rules at the top with capable helpers who advance together; here, a dark man holds the position of authority, harming the capable and the wise.
The Judgment#
The Darkening of the Light. In adversity, it furthers one to be persevering.
One must not allow oneself to be swept away helplessly by unfavorable circumstances, nor let one’s inner resolve be bent. This is possible if one remains innerly bright while outwardly yielding and adaptable. Through this attitude, even the greatest adversity can be overcome. Under certain conditions, one must indeed conceal one’s light to maintain one’s will despite difficulties in the immediate environment. Perseverance must live in the innermost consciousness and must not be displayed outwardly. Only in this way can one preserve one’s resolve amidst hardships.
The Image#
The light has sunk into the earth: The image of the Darkening of the Light. Thus the superior man lives with the great multitude: He veils his brilliance and yet remains bright.
In times of darkness, it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should not needlessly provoke overwhelmingly powerful enmity through reckless behavior. In such times, while one should not join in the habits of others, neither should one bring them critically to light. In social interactions during these periods, one must not try to know everything. One must let many things slide without letting oneself be deceived by them.
The Individual Lines#
Nine at the beginning means:#
Darkening of the light in flight. He drops his wings. The superior man on his wanderings does not eat for three days. But he has a place to go. The host has cause to gossip about him.
With a grand resolution, one wishes to soar above all obstacles. But then one encounters a hostile fate. One retreats and evades. The times are difficult. One must hurry onward restlessly without a permanent dwelling place. If one refuses to make inner compromises and wishes to remain true to one’s principles, one falls into want. Yet, one has a fixed goal to strive for, even if the people with whom one stays do not understand and speak ill of him.
Six in the second place means:#
The darkening of the light wounds him in the left thigh. He brings rescue with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.
Here, the lord of light is in a subordinate position. He is wounded by the lord of darkness. However, the injury is not fatal, only hindering. Rescue is still possible. The person affected does not think of himself, but only of saving others who are also threatened. Therefore, he strives with all his might to save what can be saved. Good fortune lies in this dutiful action.
Nine in the third place means:#
Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not expect perseverance too quickly.
Seemingly, a stroke of chance is at work. While the strong and faithful man strives to establish order through diligent activity, without any ulterior motives, he happens upon the ringleader of disorder as if by chance and captures him. Thus, victory is achieved. However, one must not be too hasty in correcting the abuses. That would be a mistake, because the abuses have been entrenched for far too long.
Six in the fourth place means:#
He penetrates into the left side of the belly. One gains the very heart of the darkening of the light and leaves gate and courtyard.
One is close to the head of darkness and thus learns his innermost thoughts. In this way, one realizes that improvement is no longer to be hoped for, and is enabled in time to leave the place of disaster before it strikes.
Six in the fifth place means:#
Darkening of the light as with Prince Jī. Perseverance furthers.
Prince Jī lived at the court of the dark tyrant Zhòu Xīn. Prince Jī was a relative of the tyrant Zhòu Xīn, which prevented him from withdrawing from the court. This historical relationship serves as the underlying, unnamed context for the entire hexagram situation. Because he was a relative of the tyrant, he could not withdraw from court. He therefore concealed his true convictions and feigned madness. Although he was kept as a slave, he never allowed outward hardships to sway his inner resolve.
This yields the lesson for those who cannot leave their posts in times of darkness: while maintaining invincible perseverance within, they require double caution externally to escape danger.
Six at the top means:#
Not light, but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, then he plunged into the depths of the earth.
Here the climax of darkness is reached. The dark power was at first placed so high that it could wound all who were good and bright. In the end, however, it perishes from its own darkness, for evil must fall at the exact moment it has completely overcome the good, thereby consuming the very strength to which it owed its existence.
Reference links#
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