Hexagram 36 明夷 changing to hexagram 1 乾
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 2, 4, 5, 6.
What to read
Four changing lines: read the two unchanged lines of the resulting hexagram; the lower one is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)
Hexagram 1 乾, line 1
潛龍勿用。
In the first (or lowest) line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon lying hid (in the deep). It is not the time for active doing.
Hexagram 1 乾, line 3
君子終日乾乾，夕惕若；厲，无咎。
In the third line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the superior man active and vigilant all the day, and in the evening still careful and apprehensive. (The position is) dangerous, but there will be no mistake.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 36 明夷 — judgment
利艱貞。
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.
Hexagram 1 乾 — judgment
元亨。利貞。
Khien (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.
The changing lines of hexagram 36
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 明夷，夷于左股，用拯馬壯，吉。 | The second line, divided, shows 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. |
| 4 | 入于左腹，獲明夷之心，于出門庭。 | The fourth line, divided, shows its subject (just) entered into the left side of the belly (of the dark land). (But) he is able to carry out the mind appropriate (in the condition indicated by) Ming I, quitting the gate and courtyard (of the lord of darkness). |
| 5 | 箕子之明夷，利貞。 | The fifth line, divided, shows how the count of Ki fulfilled the condition indicated by Ming t. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct. |
| 6 | 不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。 | The sixth line, divided, shows the case where there is 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. |
English: James Legge (1882), public domain. Chinese: Zhou Yi.
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0); Chinese Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.