Clinging Brightness | ||
Upper Trigram: | Li, Clinging Brightness, Fire | |
Lower Trigram: | Li, Clinging Brightness, Fire | |
Governing Rulers: | Six in the second place Six in the fifth place |
The Image
Brightness clinging to brightness: the image of Li. The superior man, in accordance with this, cultivates more and more his brilliant virtue, and diffuses its brightness over the four quarters of the world.
Miscellaneous Signs
Fire mounts in Li; water in K'an descends.
The Judgement
Li indicates that, in regard to what it denotes, it will be advantageous to be firm and correct, and that thus there will be free course and success. Let its subject also nourish a docility like that of the cow, and there will be good fortune.
See also: Ta Chuan - Section 2, Chapter II-2.
Commentary
Li means 'being attached to'. The sun and moon have their place in the sky. All the grains, grass and trees have their place on the earth. The double brightness adheres to what is correct, and the result is transforming and perfecting all under the sky.
The weak second line is the dominant ruler, and occupies the central and correct position, giving the indication of 'a free and successful course'; therefore 'nourishing docility (like that of the cow)' will lead to good fortune.
Li means 'being attached to'. The sun and moon have their place in the sky. All the grains, grass and trees have their place on the earth. The double brightness adheres to what is correct, and the result is transforming and perfecting all under the sky.
The weak second line is the dominant ruler, and occupies the central and correct position, giving the indication of 'a free and successful course'; therefore 'nourishing docility (like that of the cow)' will lead to good fortune.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom nine
Showing one ready to move with confused steps. But he treads at the same time reverently, and there will be no mistake.
The 'reverent attention directed to his confused steps', is the way by which error is avoided.
Six in the second placeShowing its subject in his place in yellow. There will be great good fortune.
The 'great good fortune, occupying his place in yellow', is owing to his holding the course of the due mean.
Nine in the third placeShowing its subject like a setting sun. Instead of playing on his instrument of earthenware, and singing to it, he utters the groans of an old man of eighty. There will be evil.
'A position like that of a setting sun': how can it continue long?
Nine in the fourth placeShowing the manner of its subject's coming. How abrupt it is, as with fire, with death, to be rejected.
'How abrupt is the manner of his coming!': none can bear him.
Six in the fifth placeShowing its subject with tears flowing in torrents, and groaning in sorrow. There will be good fortune.
The good fortune attached to this weak line is due to its occupying the place of a king or prince.
Top-most nineThe king employs its subject in his punitive expeditions. Achieving admirable merit, he breaks only the chiefs of the rebels. Where his prisoners were not their associates, he does not punish. There will be no error.
'The king employs him in his punitive expeditions': the object being to bring the regions to a correct state.