36. Ming I / Darkening of the light

Top: Earth | Bottom: Fire

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Here the sun has sunk under the earth and is therefore darkened. The name of the hexagram

means literally "wounding of the bright"; hence the individual lines contain frequent references

to wounding. The situation is the exact opposite of that in the foregoing hexagram. In the latter a

wise man at the head of affairs has able helpers, and in company with them makes progress; here

a man of dark nature is in a position of authority and brings harm to the wise and able man.

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THE JUDGMENT

In adversity it furthers one to be persevering.

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One must not unresistingly let himself be swept along by unfavorable circumstances, nor permit

his steadfastness to be shaken. He can avoid this by maintaining his inner light, while remaining

outwardly yielding and tractable. With this attitude he can overcome even the greatest

adversities. In some situations indeed a man must hide his light, in order to make his will prevail

inspite of difficulties in his immediate environment. Perseverance must dwell in inmost

consciousness and should not be discernible from without. Only thus is a man able to maintain

his will in the face of difficulties.

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THE IMAGE

The light has sunk into the earth: Thus does the superior man live with the great mass: He veils

his light, yet still shines.

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In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should not needlessly

awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate behavior. In such times one ought not to fall in

with the practices of others; neither should one drag them censoriously into the light. In social

intercourse one should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without being

duped.

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THE LINES

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Nine at the beginning means:

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.

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With grandiose resolve a man endeavors to soar above all obstacles, but thus encounters a hostile

fate. He retreats and evades the issue. The time is difficult. Without rest, he must hurry along,

with no permanent abiding place. If he does not want to make compromises within himself, but

insists on remaining true to his principles, he suffers deprivation. Never the less he has a fixed

goal to strive for even though the people with whom he lives do not understand him and speak ill

of him.

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Six in the second place means:

Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He gives aid with the strength of a horse.

Good fortune.

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Here the Lord of Light is in a subordinate place and is wounded by the Lord of Darkness. But the

injury is not fatal; it is only a hindrance. Rescue is still possible. The wounded man gives no

thought to himself; he thinks only of saving the others who are also in danger. Therefore he tries

with all his strength to save all that can be saved. There is good fortune in thus acting according

to duty.

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Nine in the third place means:

Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not

expect perseverance too soon.

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It seems as if chance were at work. While the strong, loyal man is striving eagerly and in good

faith to create order, he meets the ringleader of the disorder, as if by accident, and seizes him.

Thus victory is achieved. But in abolishing abuses one must not be too hasty. This would turn out

badly because the abuses have been in existence so long.

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Six in the fourth place means:

He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light.

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We find ourselves close to the commander of darkness and so discover his mot secret thoughts.

In this way we realize that there is no longer any hope of improvement, and thus we are enabled

to leave the scene of disaster before the storm breaks.

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Six in the fifth place means:

Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers.

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Prince Chi lived at the court of the evil tyrant Chou Hsin, who, although not mentioned by name,

furnished the historical example on which this whole situation is based. Prince Chi was a relative

of the tyrant and could not withdraw from the court; therefore he concealed his true sentiments

and feigned insanity. Although he was held a slave, he did not allow external misery to deflect

him from his convictions. This provides a teaching for those who cannot leave their posts in

times of darkness. In order to escape danger, they need invincible perseverance of spirit and

redoubled caution in their dealings with the world.

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Six at the top means:

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

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Here the climax of the darkening is reached. The dark power at first held so high a place that it

could wound all who were on the side of good and of the light. But in the end it perishes of its

own darkness, for evil must itself fall at the very moment when it has wholly overcome the good,

and thus consumed the energy to which it owed its duration.