Hexagram 30: The Clinging (Fire) (離 Lí) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 30 (離 The Clinging (Fire))?

I Ching Hexagram 30, 離 (Lí), represents The Clinging (Fire). It is formed by Fire (離 Lí) above, Fire (離 Lí) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'The Clinging. Perseverance furthers. It brings success. Care of the cow brings good fortune....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 30 mean?

The Image states: 'That which is bright rises twice: the image of Fire. Thus the great man, by perpetuating this brightness, illuminates the four quarters of the world.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 30 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how The Clinging (Fire) manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 30 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 30 (The Clinging (Fire)) follows Hexagram 29 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

離

Lí — Hexagram 30

The Clinging (Fire)

Fire (離 Lí) above, Fire (離 Lí) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 30, 離 (Lí), represents The Clinging (Fire). Formed by Fire (離 Lí) above, Fire (離 Lí) below, this hexagram teaches about the clinging (fire). The core message: The Clinging. Perseverance furthers. It brings success. Care of the cow brings good fortune..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 30 is formed by Fire (離 Lí) above, Fire (離 Lí) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving

The Judgment

The Clinging. Perseverance furthers. It brings success. Care of the cow brings good fortune.

— I Ching, The Clinging (Fire)

The Image

That which is bright rises twice: the image of Fire. Thus the great man, by perpetuating this brightness, illuminates the four quarters of the world.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: The footprints run crisscross. If one is seriously intent, no blame.\nLine 2: Yellow light. Supreme good fortune.\nLine 3: In the light of the setting sun, men either beat the pot and sing or loudly bewail the approach of old age. Misfortune.\nLine 4: Its coming is sudden; it flames up, dies down, is thrown away.\nLine 5: Tears in floods, sighing and lamenting. Good fortune.\nLine 6: The king uses him to march forth and chastise. Then it is best to kill the leaders and take captive the followers. No blame.

Modern Application

Hexagram 30 follows directly from Hexagram 29 — after the abyss, fire clings to its fuel and illuminates. The doubled Fire represents clarity, civilization, and intelligence. Fire cannot exist independently; it clings to what it burns. Similarly, human consciousness clings to what it illuminates — ideas, relationships, purposes. The cow represents the gentle, steady nurturing that sustains the flame. The hexagram warns against false brightness (line 3's forced gaiety) and sudden flares that burn out (line 4), while honoring genuine illumination that serves others. In modern life, Hexagram 30 applies to education, enlightenment, artistic vision, and any work that brings light to others.

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