Hexagram 36
Darkening of the Light
明夷 (Míng Yí)
Earth over Fire
The image is of Fire, the sun, sinking below the Earth. Light, clarity, and intelligence are being oppressed and obscured by dark, yielding forces. This hexagram represents a time of persecution, adversity, and misfortune, where a wise and virtuous person must hide their brilliance to survive a hostile environment. It is a time for extreme caution and inner perseverance, where one's true light is kept hidden but not extinguished.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (彖传)
This is a sober and direct judgment. The situation is difficult and unfavorable. There is no easy path to success. The only counsel is to persevere through the hardship. It is a test of endurance. One must hold on to one's principles internally, even when it is impossible to express them externally. The victory lies in surviving the darkness with one's integrity intact.
The Image (象传)
This is the core strategy for survival. The wise person does not stand out or challenge the darkness. They blend in with the crowd, appearing ordinary and compliant. They "veil" their brilliance and talent to avoid attracting hostile attention. Critically, this is an external strategy only. Internally, their light of consciousness and integrity "still shines," preserved and protected until the time is right to reveal it again.
Interpretation & Guidance
When you receive Hexagram 36, you are in a dark and dangerous time. The environment is hostile to your values, your talents, or your very presence. To be open and honest now would be to invite attack. The guidance is unequivocal: conceal your strengths, be outwardly cautious, and avoid confrontation at all costs. This is not a time for heroic stands but for intelligent survival. Your task is to protect your inner flame, to keep your spirit and your principles alive while you navigate the darkness. This requires immense patience and self-control, but it is the only way to endure until the dawn.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"Darkening of the light during flight. He lowers his wings. ... For three days he does not eat. He has a place to go."
You sense the danger early and begin to retreat. To escape, you must humble yourself and remain inconspicuous ("lowers his wings"). This period of hardship requires sacrifice, but you have a clear destination in mind, which provides the necessary resolve.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He is saved by the strength of a horse. Good fortune."
You suffer an injury, but it is not fatal. Your ability to retreat quickly and efficiently ("strength of a horse") allows you to escape greater harm. This swift, correct action in the face of danger leads to good fortune (survival).
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. One gets at the great head. One must not expect perseverance too soon."
In the midst of the darkness, you manage to identify and strike a blow against the source of the problem ("the great head"). However, this does not end the darkness. It is a single victory, and one cannot expect an immediate, lasting change. Caution is still required.
Six in the Fourth Place (六四)
Fourth line - Yin
"He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the heart of the darkening of the light, and leaves the gate and courtyard."
You have managed to get close to the source of the darkness and understand its inner workings. With this knowledge, you are able to see that the situation is hopeless and make a clean break, escaping the corrupting influence completely.
Six in the Fifth Place (六五)
Fifth line - Yin
"Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers."
This refers to the story of Prince Chi, who feigned madness to survive under a tyrannical ruler. It is the ultimate example of hiding one's light. By concealing your wisdom under a mask of harmlessness or even foolishness, you can endure the darkest of times. This requires great perseverance.
Top Six (上六)
Top line - Yin
"Not light, but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, then he plunged into the depths of the earth."
This describes the ultimate fate of the source of darkness itself. Its ambition leads it to overreach, and its own corruption causes its complete downfall. The evil destroys itself in the end. Those who endured will see the dawn.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
This hexagram points to a relationship that has entered a dark, painful, or oppressive phase. Honesty may be met with hostility, and vulnerability may be exploited. It can represent a situation with a controlling, deceitful, or abusive partner, or one where external circumstances are poisoning the union. The strategy is one of emotional self-preservation. This is not the time for heart-to-heart confrontations or trying to "fix" the other person. You must "veil your light"—hide your true feelings, protect your heart, and avoid triggering further conflict. The goal is to create inner emotional safety while navigating a hostile emotional environment. For some, this is a temporary strategy to endure a rough patch. For others, it is the quiet, difficult work of planning an escape from a situation that has become fundamentally harmful.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, this hexagram signifies a toxic or even dangerous work environment. Your competence may be seen as a threat, your ideas may be stolen, or you may be working under a tyrannical or incompetent boss. To shine brightly here is to become a target. The wise course of action is to become invisible. Do your work competently but without fanfare. Keep your head down, your opinions to yourself, and your brilliant ideas in a private notebook. Do not challenge authority or get drawn into office politics. Your task is to survive with your professional integrity and reputation intact. This is a time for observation, gathering information, and planning your next move, which will likely be an exit ("leaving the gate and courtyard") once you fully understand the situation.
Health & Wellness (健康)
When 'Darkening of the Light' appears in a health context, it suggests a condition that is difficult to diagnose, or a period of deep physical or mental exhaustion where one's inner vitality feels obscured. It can signify a "dark night of the soul" in the form of severe depression, chronic fatigue, or an illness that forces a complete withdrawal from normal life. The path to healing is through perseverance and accepting the need for a deep, extended period of rest. You must "veil your light" by surrendering the need to be active and productive. The focus must shift entirely to conservation of energy. This means radical self-care, avoiding all sources of stress, and patiently allowing your inner light of health to slowly rekindle in the protected darkness of rest and recovery.
Financial Matters (财运)
This hexagram is a strong warning of a dark financial period. It can indicate a severe market downturn, a major personal financial loss, or being involved in a situation where you are being cheated or exploited. The environment is hostile to prosperity. The correct strategy is maximum defense. This is not the time to look for opportunities, but to protect what you have. "Veil your light" means do not display any wealth you might have. Be extremely frugal and discreet. Avoid all new investments and risky ventures. The goal is to survive the financial winter with your core assets intact. It requires immense patience and the discipline to not panic or make a desperate move. Your perseverance through this dark time will be rewarded when the economic light returns.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
This hexagram represents one of the most profound and difficult tests on the spiritual path. It is a time when your virtues and beliefs are challenged by a hostile world. You may feel that your efforts are futile and that darkness is winning. Growth comes from learning to protect your inner flame. It's the ability to maintain your faith, your hope, and your integrity when there is no external validation whatsoever. It is the ultimate lesson in self-reliance, forcing you to find a source of light within that is independent of all outer circumstances. The practice is to be in the world but not of it; to appear ordinary on the outside while secretly cultivating a sanctuary of wisdom and clarity on the inside. Surviving this period forges an unbreakable inner strength and a deep compassion for the suffering of others.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The time is wrong for action, advancement, or confrontation. The prevailing energy is dark and hostile. Your only goal is to endure and preserve yourself. Be cautious, be discreet, and hide your strengths. This is a time to be patient and observant. Do not lose hope. The nature of cycles dictates that the sun will eventually rise again. Your task is to make sure your inner light is still burning when it does.
