What this hexagram is about
The sun sinks into the earth and the light is wounded — the image of the worthy person in a dark and benighted age. Veil your brilliance: yield and seem soft without, but keep your inner light and your purpose within; preserve yourself through hardship and hold fast to the right.
The Judgment 卦辞
明夷，利艰贞。
It is favorable to persevere through hardship.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：明入地中，明夷；君子以莅众，用晦而明。
The light sinks into the earth; so the noble person, governing the multitude, veils his brilliance yet stays clear-sighted.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
君子于行，义不食也。
The noble person on his way — by what is right, he goes without food.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Six at the top不明晦，初登于天，后入于地。
Giving no light but turning to darkness — the benighted ruler: who first rose high as if mounting the sky, and falls in the end as if sinking into the earth.
Six in the fifth place箕子之明夷，利贞。
As Jizi bore himself in the age of darkened light: hiding his wisdom within and showing dimness without to keep himself safe; it is fitting to hold to what is right.
Six in the fourth place入于左腹，获明夷之心，于出门庭。
Reaching into the very heart of the matter and grasping the dark ruler's mind, one withdraws early and steps clear of the gate — keeping far from harm and whole.
Nine in the third place明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾贞。
In the time of the wounded light, marching south, one takes the chief offender; but one must not be hasty — move slowly and hold to the right.
Six in the second place明夷，夷于左股，用拯马壮，吉。
The light is wounded, struck in the left thigh — hurt, but not in a vital part; rescue is brought swiftly with a strong horse — good fortune.
Initial Nine明夷于飞，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食。有攸往，主人有言。
In the wounding of the light, the bird of the darkened light folds its wings and flies low; the noble person, in his flight, goes for days without food. Where he turns, he meets reproach, and the host he seeks will have words of blame.