I Ching hexagram
36. Clouded Perception
明夷Míng Yí
Earth over Fire
Also called Darkening of the Light, The Symbol of the Appearance of Clear Intelligence Wounded, Injury, Wounding of the Bright, Brightness Hiding, Calling Pheasant, The Darkened Light, Concealment of Illumination, Injury of Illumination, Light Obliterated, Intelligence Unappreciated, Censorship, Hiding One's Light, The Dark Night of the Soul, Ignorance "Not necessarily as bad as it sounds, may just mean being restricted or restricting yourself." -- D.F. Hook
Hexagram 36, Clouded Perception (明夷 Míng Yí) is formed by Earth over Fire. It is also known as Darkening of the Light, The Symbol of the Appearance of Clear Intelligence Wounded, Injury, Wounding of the Bright, Brightness Hiding, Calling Pheasant, The Darkened Light, Concealment of Illumination.
Legge
Read as
The judgment
Legge
利艱貞。
Under the conditions of Clouded Perception be aware of the difficulty of your position and maintain firm correctness.
The six lines
line 1 is at the bottom
- Line 1Yang
明夷于飛，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食，有攸往，主人有言。
Trying to rise above the challenges around you may lead to backlash. If you prioritize your own desires at the expense of societal needs, you'll likely face misinterpretation and criticism. This situation poses a significant challenge.
- Line 2Yin
明夷，夷于左股，用拯馬壯，吉。
Instead of holding you back, a recent setback on your journey can motivate you to take positive and energetic steps toward the common good.
- Line 3Yang
明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾貞。
You are now confronting someone who embodies misguided beliefs. The situation allows you to take charge with ease, but proceed with caution as trying to eliminate a deeply rooted habit all at once can be perilous.
- Line 4Yin
入于左腹，獲明夷之心，出于門庭。
You have a clear view of the current situation. If it seems bleak and doomed, which is possible, this may be the right time to step away.
- Line 5Yin
箕子之明夷，利貞。
You play an evident and crucial role here, but you're not aligned with it. It's unwise to fight against forces that contradict your ideals. Keep your principles to yourself and outwardly comply with authority. In the end, you will be rewarded.
- Line 6Yin
不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。
The ongoing negative trend is nearing its conclusion. The hard times will consume themselves and fade into memory. Those who once sought to maintain control will fade into the background.
When this hexagram changes
These are the moves that have come up most often in readings. Each page keeps the book text.
Use this hexagram in a reading
These are the same judgment and lines that appear when hexagram 36 comes up in a cast. Ask a question to see which lines change, or keep a journal of your readings. The throw uses the odds of three coins: how a reading is cast.