Ming Yi · 明夷

Judgment (卦辞)

Darkening of the Light. In adversity, it furthers one to be persevering. The light has gone under the earth; brightness is concealed. This is a time to hide one's brilliance and endure difficulty with inner clarity intact.

明夷：利艰贞。

Image (象辞)

The light has sunk under the earth — the image of Darkening of the Light. Thus the superior man governs the people by conforming to their character, and then makes them understand the darkness. When the sun sinks below the earth, the wise person adapts outwardly while preserving inner light.

明入地中，明夷；君子以莅众，用晦而明。

Modern Application

Ming Yi teaches surviving oppression by hiding one's brilliance — outward conformity with inner integrity. Critical for navigating hostile environments, protecting intellectual property, and enduring censorship.

明夷教导通过隐藏才华来在压迫中生存——外在顺应与内在正直。对驾驭敌对环境、保护知识产权和忍受审查至关重要。