Darkening of the Light
Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 36, 明夷 (Míng Yí), represents Darkening of the Light.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 36 (明夷 Míng Yí). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/ming-yi). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
明夷：利艱貞。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Steadfastness through difficulty is fruitful.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
明入地中,明夷。君子以莅众,用晦而明。
James Legge: (The trigram representing) the earth and that for the bright (sun) entering within it form Ming I. The superior man, in accordance with this, conducts his management of men;—he shows his intelligence by keeping it obscured.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初九：明夷于飛，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食，有攸往，主人有言。
James Legge: The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, flying, but with drooping wings. When the superior man (is revolving) his going away, he may be for three days without eating. Wherever he goes, the people there may speak (derisively of him).
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
六二：明夷，夷于左股，用拯馬壯，吉。
James Legge: The second SIX, divided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, wounded in the left thigh. He saves himself by the strength of a (swift) horse; and is fortunate.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
九三：明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾貞。
James Legge: The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, hunting in the south, and taking the great chief (of the darkness). He should not be eager to make (all) correct (at once).
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
六四：入于左腹，獲明夷之心，出于門庭。
James Legge: The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject (just) entered into the left side of the belly (of the dark land). (But) he is able to carry out the mind appropriate (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, quitting the gate and courtyard (of the lord of darkness).
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
六五：箕子之明夷，利貞。
James Legge: The fifth SIX, divided, shows how the count of Ki fulfilled the condition indicated by Ming I. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。
James Legge: The sixth SIX, divided, shows the case where there is no light, but (only) obscurity. (Its subject) had at first ascended to (the top of) the sky; his future shall be to go into the earth.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Darkening of the Light can prompt a careful question about concealment: when conditions turn hostile to openness, what does protecting a light mean — hiding it, carrying it quietly, or keeping it burning inwardly? The image of fire hidden beneath the earth reads here as the text's own picture of intelligence in hard times.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
This describes a condition, not anyone's duty to endure harm. Nothing predicts harm or deliverance. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 36 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.