The 64 hexagrams

Browse every hexagram by number, search by name or theme, or filter by element.

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No. 1乾QiánThe CreativeNo. 2坤KūnThe ReceptiveNo. 3屯ZhūnDifficulty at the BeginningNo. 4蒙MéngYouthful FollyNo. 5需XūWaitingNo. 6讼SòngConflictNo. 7师ShīThe ArmyNo. 8比BǐHolding TogetherNo. 9小畜Xiǎo ChùSmall TamingNo. 10履LǚTreadingNo. 11泰TàiPeaceNo. 12否PǐStandstillNo. 13同人Tóng RénFellowshipNo. 14大有Dà YǒuGreat PossessionNo. 15谦QiānModestyNo. 16豫YùEnthusiasmNo. 17随SuíFollowingNo. 18蛊GǔWork on the DecayedNo. 19临LínApproachNo. 20观GuānContemplationNo. 21噬嗑Shì KēBiting ThroughNo. 22贲BìGraceNo. 23剥BōSplitting ApartNo. 24复FùReturnNo. 25无妄Wú WàngInnocenceNo. 26大畜Dà ChùGreat TamingNo. 27颐YíNourishmentNo. 28大过Dà GuòGreat PreponderanceNo. 29坎KǎnThe AbysmalNo. 30离LíThe ClingingNo. 31咸XiánInfluenceNo. 32恒HéngDurationNo. 33遯DùnRetreatNo. 34大壮Dà ZhuàngGreat PowerNo. 35晋JìnProgressNo. 36明夷Míng YíDarkening of the LightNo. 37家人Jiā RénThe FamilyNo. 38睽KuíOppositionNo. 39蹇JiǎnObstructionNo. 40解XièDeliveranceNo. 41损SǔnDecreaseNo. 42益YìIncreaseNo. 43夬GuàiBreakthroughNo. 44姤GòuComing to MeetNo. 45萃CuìGathering TogetherNo. 46升ShēngPushing UpwardNo. 47困KùnOppressionNo. 48井JǐngThe WellNo. 49革GéRevolutionNo. 50鼎DǐngThe CaldronNo. 51震ZhènThe ArousingNo. 52艮GènKeeping StillNo. 53渐JiànDevelopmentNo. 54归妹Guī MèiThe Marrying MaidenNo. 55丰FēngAbundanceNo. 56旅LǚThe WandererNo. 57巽XùnThe GentleNo. 58兑DuìThe JoyousNo. 59涣HuànDispersionNo. 60节JiéLimitationNo. 61中孚Zhōng FúInner TruthNo. 62小过Xiǎo GuòSmall PreponderanceNo. 63既济Jì JìAfter CompletionNo. 64未济Wèi JìBefore Completion

Hexagram 36 · 明夷 · Míng Yí

Darkening of the Light

Element:
Earth over Fire
Key themes:
darkness, adversity, resilience, caution, inner strength

Image

Fire beneath the earth, symbolizing the darkening of light and the need for resilience.

Overall message

Hexagram 36 represents the concept of darkness and adversity. It emphasizes the importance of resilience, inner strength, and patience in navigating through difficult times. Success comes from enduring through darkness and maintaining hope.

Face adversity and darkness with resilience and inner strength. Act with caution and patience. Success comes from enduring through difficult times and maintaining hope.

Classical text (Legge, 1882)

Judgment. 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.

Image. (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.

From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.

The six lines

  1. Line 6 · Completion of Darkness

    The period of darkness comes to an end. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.

    Reflect on the experience and learn from it. Prepare for a brighter future.

  2. Line 5 · Leadership in Darkness

    Strong leadership is crucial in navigating through the darkness.

    Lead with wisdom and resilience. Guide others through the difficult times.

  3. Line 4 · Seeking Light

    Seek light and hope amidst the darkness. Stay patient.

    Look for signs of hope and light. Stay patient and hopeful.

  4. Line 3 · Overcoming Challenges

    Challenges may arise, but they can be overcome with resilience.

    Stay resilient and persistent. Overcome challenges with determination.

  5. Line 2 · Navigating Adversity

    Adversity becomes more pronounced. Focus on navigating through it.

    Take steps to navigate through the adversity. Stay focused and determined.

  6. Line 1 · Initial Darkness

    The beginning of a period of darkness. Be cautious and resilient.

    Stay vigilant and resilient. Face the darkness with inner strength.

Related hexagrams

Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 6 · 讼 · Sòng. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.

Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 40 · 解 · Xiè. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.

Change by line:

If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:

  1. Line 1 changing → Hexagram 15 · 谦 · Qiān
  2. Line 2 changing → Hexagram 11 · 泰 · Tài
  3. Line 3 changing → Hexagram 24 · 复 · Fù
  4. Line 4 changing → Hexagram 55 · 丰 · Fēng
  5. Line 5 changing → Hexagram 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì
  6. Line 6 changing → Hexagram 22 · 贲 · Bì