36. Ming I

	Sinking Light
	Upper Trigram:	K'un, Passive Principle, Earth
	Lower Trigram:	Li, Clinging Brightness, Fire
	Governing Rulers:	Six in the second place Six in the fifth place
	Constitutional Ruler:	Top-most six

The Image
The sun sinking below the earth: the image of Ming I. The superior man, in accordance with this, conducts his management of men: he shows his intelligence by keeping it obscured.

Miscellaneous Signs
Above in Chin, the sun shines clear and bright, but in Ming I 'tis hidden from the sight.

The Judgement
Ming I indicates that in the circumstances which it denotes, it will be advantageous to realise the difficulty of the position, and maintain firm correctness.

Commentary
The symbol of earth, and brightness entering into the midst of it, give the idea of Ming I (Brightness wounded or obscured). The inner trigram denotes being accomplished and bright; the outer being pliant and submissive. The case of king Wen 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 Chi was that of one who, amidst the difficulties of his House, was able thus to maintain his aim and mind correct.

The Lines and commentaries
Bottom nine
Showing its subject in the condition indicated by Ming I, 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.

'The superior man is revolving his going away': in such a case he feels it right not to eat.

Six in the second place
Showing its subject in the condition indicated by Ming I, wounded in the left thigh. He saves himself by the strength of a swift horse and is fortunate.

The good fortune of the subject of this line is due to the proper fashion of his acting according to his circumstances.

Nine in the third place
Showing its subject in the condition indicated by Ming I, hunting in the south and taking the great lord of the darkness. He should not be eager to make all correct at once.

With the aim represented by 'hunting in the south', a great achievement is accomplished.

Six in the fourth place
Showing its subject just entered into the left side of the belly of the dark land. He is able to carry out the mind appropriate in this condition, and is quitting the gate and courtyard of the lord of darkness.

'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.

Six in the fifth place
Showing how the count of Chi fulfilled the condition indicated by Ming I. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

'With the firm correctness of count Chi': his brightness could not quite be extinguished.

Top-most six
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.

'He had at first ascended to the top of the sky': he might have enlightened the four quartes of the kingdom.
'His future shall be to go into the earth': he has failed to fulfil the model of a ruler.