Ming Yi 地火明夷

“It is fitting to persevere through hardship.”

The Image: The light enters the earth: darkening of the light. The noble person oversees the people by veiling his brightness and so remains bright.

原文 · 利艱貞。 / 明入地中，明夷；君子以蒞眾，用晦而明。

“Darkening of the light in flight, wings drooping. The noble person on the road goes three days without eating; wherever he goes, the host has something to say.”

You’re hurt and must flee with little support. Expect criticism but keep going.

原文 · 明夷于飛，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食，有攸往，主人有言。

“Darkening of the light, wounded in the left thigh; a strong horse helps rescue: good fortune.”

You’re hurt, but swift help and quick action save you.

原文 · 明夷，夷于左股，用拯馬壯，吉。

“Darkening of the light in the southern hunt: one captures the great leader. Don’t be hasty in wanting to set things right.”

You find the source of the trouble. Be patient in dealing with it.

原文 · 明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾貞。

“Entering the left side of the belly, one understands the heart of the darkening, and leaves the gate and the courtyard.”

You see the rot inside and decide to leave it behind.

原文 · 入于左腹，獲明夷之心，于出門庭。

“The darkening of the light of Prince Ji; it is fitting to persevere.”

Hide your light in a hostile setting, but keep your inner clarity. Steady integrity.

原文 · 箕子之明夷，利貞。

“Not bright but dark: first he ascended to heaven, afterward he plunged into the earth.”

Arrogance and blindness bring a fall. What rose high crashes.

原文 · 不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。