Hexagram 36: Darkening of the Light (明夷 Míng Yí) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 36 (明夷 Darkening of the Light)?

I Ching Hexagram 36, 明夷 (Míng Yí), represents Darkening of the Light. It is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Darkening of the Light. In adversity it furthers one to be persevering....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 36 mean?

The Image states: 'The light has sunk into the earth: the image of Darkening of the Light. Thus does the superior man live with the great mass: he veils his light, yet still shines.' 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 36 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 Darkening of the Light 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 36 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 36 (Darkening of the Light) follows Hexagram 35 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

明夷

Míng Yí — Hexagram 36

Darkening of the Light

Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 36, 明夷 (Míng Yí), represents Darkening of the Light. Formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below, this hexagram teaches about darkening of the light. The core message: Darkening of the Light. In adversity it furthers one to be persevering..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 36 is formed by Earth (坤 Kūn) 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

Darkening of the Light. In adversity it furthers one to be persevering.

— I Ching, Darkening of the Light

The Image

The light has sunk into the earth: the image of Darkening of the Light. Thus does the superior man live with the great mass: he veils his light, yet still shines.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: Darkening of the light during flight. He lowers his wings. The superior man does not eat for three days on his wanderings. But he has somewhere to go. The host has occasion to gossip about him.

Line 2: Line 2: Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He gives aid with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.

Line 3: Line 3: Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not expect perseverance too soon.

Line 4: Line 4: He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light, and leaves gate and courtyard.

Line 5: Line 5: Darkening of the light as with Prince Ji. Perseverance furthers.

Line 6: Line 6: Not light but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, then he plunged into the depths of the earth.

Modern Application

Hexagram 36 is one of the darkest in the I Ching. Light buried beneath the earth — Fire hidden, its illumination suppressed. This is the hexagram of persecution, when virtue is punished and truth is silenced. The teaching is profound: when the environment is hostile to light, the wise person veils their brightness while maintaining it within. Prince Ji, who feigned madness to survive a tyrant's court, is the model. In modern terms, Darkening of the Light describes toxic workplaces, oppressive political environments, or personal situations where authenticity is penalized. Survival requires discretion without abandoning inner truth.

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