36. Ming Yi | Darkening of the Light | Zhou Yi | English

明（míng）夷（yí）：（）利（lì）艰（jiān）贞（zhēn）。（）

Translation: 明夷 / Darkening of the Light: Draft rendering: 利艰贞。.

Reading note: This is the judgment of Ming Yi (Darkening of the Light), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

初（chū）九（jiǔ）：（）明（míng）夷（yí）于（yú）飞（fēi），（）垂（chuí）其（qí）翼（yì）。（）君（jūn）子（zǐ）于（yú）行（xíng），（）三（sān）日（rì）不（bù）食（shí），（）有（yǒu）攸（yōu）往（wǎng），（）主（zhǔ）人（rén）有（yǒu）言（yán）。（）

Translation: First Nine: Draft rendering: 明夷于飞，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食，有攸往，主人有言。.

Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

六（liù）二（èr）：（）明（míng）夷（yí），（）夷（yí）于（yú）左（zuǒ）股（gǔ），（）用（yòng）拯（zhěng）马（mǎ）壮（zhuàng）吉（jí）。（）

Translation: Second Six: 明夷，夷于左股，用拯马壮auspicious。.

Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

九（jiǔ）三（sān）：（）明（míng）夷（yí）于（yú）南（nán）狩（shòu），（）得（dé）其（qí）大（dà）首（shǒu）。（）不（bù）可（kě）疾（jí）贞（zhēn）。（）

Translation: Third Nine: Draft rendering: 明夷于南狩，得其大首。不可疾贞。.

Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

六（liù）四（sì）：（）入（rù）于（yú）左（zuǒ）腹（fù），（）获（huò）明（míng）夷（yí）之（zhī）心（xīn），（）于（yú）出（chū）门（mén）庭（tíng）。（）

Translation: Fourth Six: Draft rendering: 入于左腹，获明夷之心，于出门庭。.

Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

六（liù）五（wǔ）：（）箕（jī）子（zi）之（zhī）明（míng）夷（yí），（）利（lì）贞（zhēn）。（）

Translation: Fifth Six: 箕子之明夷，it is beneficial to remain upright。.

Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

上（shàng）六（liù）：（）不（bù）明（míng）晦（huì），（）初（chū）登（dēng）于（yú）天（tiān），（）后（hòu）入（rù）于（yú）地（dì）。（）

Translation: Top Six: Draft rendering: 不明晦，初登于天，后入于地。.

Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

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36. Ming Yi | Darkening of the Light

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