Ming Yi
Light Obscured
When you receive Hexagram 36, Ming Yi, the I Ching turns your attention to light obscured. Brightness Wounded. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Brightness Wounded. It furthers to recognize the difficulty of the position, and to hold firm and correct.
Classical (Legge)Ming I indicates that (in the circumstances which it denotes) it will be advantageous to realise the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness.
The Image
The earth, and the bright sun entering within it. One who is centered, in governing others, shows his intelligence by keeping it veiled.
Classical (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.
The Changing Lines
The bright one is darkened as he flies. He keeps his wings drooping. The centered one, traveling, may go three days without eating. Wherever he goes, the people speak against him.
Classical (Legge)The bright (intelligence) is darkened (as he is) flying. (But) he (still) keeps his wings drooping. The superior man, (in the circumstances,) goes without eating for three days. Wherever he goes, the people (there) speak (derisively of him).
The brightness is darkened. He is wounded in the left thigh. He saves himself by the strength of a swift horse. Fortunate.
Classical (Legge)(The bright intelligence) is darkened, and (the subject of this line is) wounded in the left thigh. He saves himself by (the strength of) a swift horse; and is fortunate.
The brightness is darkened, as when the prince hunts in the south. He captures the great chief. He should not be eager to make all things right at once.
Classical (Legge)(The bright intelligence) is darkened (as in the case of) the prince of the south hunting. He gets his great chief (prisoner). He should not be eager to make (all) correct (at once).
He has entered the left side of the belly of the dark land. Yet he carries out the purpose fitting to this time, going away from the gate and courtyard of the lord of darkness.
Classical (Legge)(The subject) has (just) entered 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).
The brightness of the count of Ji. Hold firm and correct.
Classical (Legge)(The bright intelligence is that of) the count of Ki. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
No light, only darkness. He had first ascended to the top of the sky. His future shall be to go into the earth.
Classical (Legge)There is no light, but (only) obscurity. He had at first ascended to (the top of) the sky; his future shall be to go into the earth.
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