míng yíAlso known as “Darkening of the Light” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Ming Δ (Legge)
darkening of the lightadversityhidden strength
In plain words
The sun sunk under the earth: the light wounded. In dark times it is favourable to persevere — hide your brilliance, as the ancient sage did under a tyrant.
The attitude it asks for
Keep your inner light while appearing modest; endure injustice without being corrupted or exposed.
Structure
Upper trigram☷坤Kun (the Receptive)地 · earth · Earth
Ming Î indicates that (in the circumstances which it denotes) it will be advantageous to realise the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness.
Commentary on the Judgment
明入地中，明夷。內文明而外柔順，以蒙大難，文王以之。利艱貞，晦其明也，內難而能正其志，箕子以之。
(The symbol of) the Earth and that of Brightness entering into the midst of it give the idea of Ming Î (Brightness wounded or obscured).
The inner (trigram) denotes being accomplished and bright; the outer, being pliant and submissive. The case of king Wăn was that of one who with these qualities was yet involved in great difficulties.
'It will be advantageous to realise the difficulty (of the position), and maintain firm correctness:'—that is, (the individual concerned) should obscure his brightness. The case of the count of Kî was that of one who, amidst the difficulties of his House, was able (thus) to maintain his aim and mind correct.
The Image
明入地中，明夷；君子以蒞眾，用晦而明。
(The trigram representing) the earth and that for the bright (sun) entering within it form Ming Î. The superior man, in accordance with this, conducts his management of men;—he shows his intelligence by keeping it obscured.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。
The sixth line, 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.
Its symbolism
初登于天，照四國也。後入于地，失則也。
'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 fulfil the model (of a ruler).
The fourth line, 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 Î, quitting the gate and courtyard (of the lord of darkness).
Its symbolism
入于左腹，獲心意也。
'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.
The third line, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming Î, hunting in the south, and taking the great chief (of the darkness). He should not be eager to make (all) correct (at once).
Its symbolism
南狩之志，乃大得也。
With the aim represented by 'hunting in the south' a great achievement is accomplished.
The second line, divided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming Î, wounded in the left thigh. He saves himself by the strength of a (swift) horse; and is fortunate.
Its symbolism
六二之吉，順以則也。
'The good fortune of (the subject of) the second line, divided,' is due to the proper fashion of his acting according to his circumstances.
The first line, undivided, shows its subject, (in the condition indicated by) Ming Î, 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).
Its symbolism
君子于行，義不食也。
'The superior man (is revolving his) going away:'—(in such a case) he feels it right not to eat.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 36, Brightness Hidden, mean?
The sun sunk under the earth: the light wounded. In dark times it is favourable to persevere — hide your brilliance, as the ancient sage did under a tyrant.
Which trigrams form Brightness Hidden?
坤 above 離 — earth over fire. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 解 Release.
What happens when a line of Brightness Hidden changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Brightness Hidden in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — - - — - - - - - - is Brightness Hidden. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.