Trigrams
☷☲ – Earth above, Fire below
Meaning
Represents the concealment of inner light in times of darkness and oppression. The sun has set beneath the earth. When surrounded by darkness or hostile forces, the wise person conceals their brightness and endures with patience and inner steadfastness.
Interpretation
- Conceal your light and capabilities when conditions are dark and hostile.
- Inner integrity must be maintained even when outward expression is suppressed.
- Endure patiently; the light will rise again.
Six Yao (Lines) with Classical Quotes
1st Yao (初爻)
明夷于飞，垂其翼；君子于行，三日不食；有攸往，主人有言。
English: The light bird with its wings drooping — the noble one journeys on, not eating for three days. Going somewhere, the host has words of criticism. Even in the worst conditions the inner light presses forward.
Luck Level: Caution
2nd Yao (二爻)
明夷，夷于左股，用拯马壮，吉。
English: Darkening of the light — wounded in the left thigh. Using the power of a strong horse — good fortune. Wounded but still capable of moving forward with all available strength.
Luck Level: Good
3rd Yao (三爻)
明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾贞。
English: Darkening of the light in the southern hunt — capturing the great chief. But do not persist with illness. A decisive victory is won, but do not push through if you are depleted.
Luck Level: Neutral
4th Yao (四爻)
入于左腹，获明夷之心，于出门庭。
English: Entering the left side of the belly, finding the heart of the darkening, and going out through the gate and courtyard. Understanding the very source of the oppression from within, then finding the way out.
Luck Level: Neutral
5th Yao (五爻)
箕子之明夷，利贞。
English: Prince Jizi's darkening of the light — beneficial to persist. The prince who served in the darkened court of the tyrant while maintaining his integrity secretly; wisdom in concealment.
Luck Level: Neutral
6th Yao (上爻)
不明，晴；初登于天，后入于地。
English: Not light, but dark. Initially ascending to heaven, then entering into the earth. The pinnacle of darkness — after reaching the heights of authority, collapsing utterly into ruin.
Luck Level: Misfortune