Hexagram 36: Darkening of the Light
Adversity, concealing light
| Chinese | 明夷 (Míng Yí) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☷ Earth — The Receptive (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☲ Fire — The Clinging (Fire) |
| Keywords | adversity, concealment, perseverance, inner light |
| Opposite | Hexagram 6: Conflict |
| Inverted | Hexagram 35: Progress |
What does Hexagram 36 (Darkening of the Light) mean?
Darkening of the Light 明夷 (Míng Yí) is hexagram 36 of the I Ching, formed by Earth (The Receptive) over Fire (The Clinging). Its theme is adversity, concealing light, with key ideas of adversity, concealment, perseverance, inner light. The Judgment reads: “Darkening of the Light. In adversity it furthers one to be persevering.”
The Judgment of Darkening of the Light
Darkening of the Light. In adversity it furthers one to be persevering.
The Image of Darkening of the Light
The light has sunk into the earth.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 36
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Nine at the beginning
“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.”
Withdrawal under adverse conditions requires sacrifice and the endurance of misunderstanding. The inner compass remains the only reliable guide.
Six in the second place
“Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He gives aid with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.”
Wounded but not incapacitated, one continues to help others with whatever strength remains. Generosity despite personal injury is honourable.
Nine in the third place
“Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not expect perseverance too soon.”
A major victory is achieved but premature expectations of stability undermine it. The situation remains fluid; do not declare success too early.
Six in the fourth place
“He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light, and leaves the gate and courtyard.”
Having discovered the core of the corruption, one departs rather than remaining to be consumed by it. Knowing the truth, leave while you can.
Six in the fifth place
“Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers.”
Like the wise counsellor who feigned madness to survive a tyrant's court, concealing one's wisdom while persevering inwardly is the correct response to systemic darkness.
Six at the top
“Not light but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, then he plunged into the depths of the earth.”
The source of darkness, having reached its zenith of power, falls of its own weight into the abyss. Excess of darkness destroys itself.
Will Darkening of the Light answer your question?
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