Míng yí Overshadow Darkening [hexagram 36]

Yin line Yin - controlling line Yin line Yang line Yin line Yang line

Lack of appreciation
Earth over
Fire
Earth Earth element

Heaven Water
Sòng [6] Strife; Contention
Opposite
Fire Earth
Jìn [35] Rapid advance; Gain ground
Inverse
Wood Water
Xiè [40] Disentangle; Relief
Mutual

Lunar month: 9 ; Host or Controlling line : 5
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: . Míng yí: lì jiān zhēn.

Ming Yi indicates that (in the circumstances which it denotes) it will be advantageous to realize the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness.

: , . , , . , 晦, , 箕. Tuàn zhuàn: Míng rù dì zhōng, míng yí. Nèi wén míng ér wài róu shùn, yǐ méng dà nàn, wén wàng yǐ zhī. Lì jiān zhēn, huì qímíng yě, nèi nán ér néng zhèng qí zhì, jī zǐ yǐ zhī.

(The symbol of) the Earth and that of Brightness entering into the midst of it give the idea of Ming Yi (Brightness wounded or obscured). The inner (trigram) denotes being accomplished and bright; the outer, being pliant and submissive. The case of King Wen was that of one who with these qualities was yet involved in great difficulties. 'It will be advantageous to realize the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness: - that is, (the individual concerned) should obscure his brightness. The case of the count of K? was that of one who, amidst the difficulties of his House, was able (thus) to maintain his aim and mind correct.

: , ; , . Xiàng zhuàn: Míng rù dì zhōng, míng yí; jūn zǐ yǐ lì zhòng, yòng huì érmíng.

(The trigram representing) the earth and that for the bright (sun) entering within it form Ming Yi. The superior man, in accordance with this, conducts his management of men; - he shows his intelligence by keeping it obscured.

young yin young yin young yin young yang young yin changing yang
I Ching transform
Earth
Mountain
Qiān [15] Modesty; Humility
Change
: , 垂翼. , , , . Chū jiǔ: míng yí yú fēi, chuí qí yì. Jūn zǐ yú xíng, sān rì bù shí, yǒu yōu wǎng, zhǔ rén yǒu yán.

The first ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming Yi, 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).

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jūn zǐ yú xíng, yì bù shí yě.

‘The superior man (is revolving his) going away:’ - (in such a case) he feels it right not to eat.

young yin young yin young yin young yang changing yin young yang
I Ching transform
Earth
Heaven
Tài [11] Elevation; Advance
Change
: , 股, , . Liù èr: míng yí, yí yú zuǒ gǔ, yòng zhěng mǎ zhuàng, jí.

The second ‘six’, divided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming Yi, wounded in the left thigh. He saves himself by the strength of a (swift) horse; and is fortunate.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Liù èr zhī jí, shùn yǐ zé yě.

‘The good fortune of (the subject of) the second ‘six’, divided,’ is due to the proper fashion of his acting according to his circumstances.

young yin young yin young yin changing yang young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Earth
Wood
[24] Return; Turning back
Change
: 狩, , . Jiǔ sān: míng yí yú nán shòu, dé qí dà shǒu, bù kě jí zhēn.

The third ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming Yi, hunting in the south, and taking the great chief (of the darkness). He should not be eager to make (all) correct (at once).

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Nán shòu zhī zhì, nǎi dà dé yě.

With the aim represented by ‘hunting in the south’ a great achievement is accomplished.

young yin young yin changing yin young yang young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Wood
Fire
Fēng [55] Abundance; Plentitude
Change
: 腹, 获, 庭. Liù sì: rù yú zuǒ fù, huò míng yí zhī xīn, chū yú mén tíng.

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 Yi, quitting the gate and courtyard (of the lord of darkness).

: 腹, 获. Xiàng zhuàn: Rù yú zuǒ fù, huò xīn yì yě.

‘He has (just) entered into the left side of the belly (of the dark land):’ - he is still able to carry out the idea in his (inner) mind.

young yin changing yin young yin young yang young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Water
Fire
Jì jì [63] Consumation; Sated
Change
: 箕, . Liù wǔ: jī zǐ zhī míng yí, lì zhēn.

The fifth ‘six’, divided, shows how the Count of Ki fulfilled the condition indicated by Ming Yi. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

: 箕, . Xiàng zhuàn: Jī zǐ zhī zhēn, míng bù kě xī yě.

‘With the firm correctness of the Count of Ki,’ his brightness could not be (quite) extinguished.

changing yin young yin young yin young yang young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Mountain
Fire
[22] Pattern; Elegance
Change
: 晦, , . Shàng liù: bù míng huì, chū dēng yú tiān, hòu rù yú dì.

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.

: , . , . Xiàng zhuàn: Chū dēng yú tiān, zhào sì guó yě. Hòu rù yú dì, shī zé yě.

‘He had at first ascended to (the top of) the sky:’ - he might have enlightened the four quarters of the kingdom. ‘His future shall be to go into the earth:’ - he has failed to fulfill the model (of a ruler).

This translation of the YiJing classic text uses the original Chinese including the Xiàng zhuàn commentary converted to modern simplified characters and pinyin. The English translation is based on William Legge (1899) which is now out of copyright. We have changed some wording and converted to American spelling. We hope to replace this with a more modern translation.

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