Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
In an unsupportive setting, safeguard your judgment and seek reliable support.
This is Fatefold’s original reflective interpretation, not a word-for-word translation or a classical prediction about a modern question.
Classical line statements · bottom to top
01
初九 明夷于飛，垂其翼，君子于行，三日不食。有攸往，主人有言。
02
六二 明夷，夷于左股，用拯馬壯吉。
03
九三 明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾貞。
04
六四 入于左腹，獲明夷之心，于出門庭。
05
六五 箕子之明夷，利貞。
06
上六 不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Li · Fire; the upper is Kun · Earth. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. In an unsupportive setting, safeguard your judgment and seek reliable support.
Tuan commentary · reading the judgment
明入地中，明夷。內文明而外柔順，以蒙大難，文王以之。利艱貞，晦其明也。內難而能正其志，箕子以之。
The Tuan discusses the judgment through polarity, position and timing. Its conditions belong with the judgment; an isolated favorable or unfavorable word does not settle a whole situation.
Great Image · from pattern to conduct
明入地中，明夷。君子以莅眾，用晦而明。
The Great Image turns Darkening of the Light into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to darkening of the light fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初九 · 1
明夷于飛，垂其翼，君子于行，三日不食。有攸往，主人有言。
《小象》：君子于行，義不食也。
A wounded bird suggests reducing exposure before recognition.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
六二 · 2
明夷，夷于左股，用拯馬壯吉。
《小象》：六二之吉，順以則也。
Effective support can help leave an injured situation.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
九三 · 3
明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾貞。
《小象》：南狩之志，乃得大也。
Finding the central obstacle does not justify a rushed resolution.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
六四 · 4
入于左腹，獲明夷之心，于出門庭。
《小象》：入于左腹，獲心意也。
Understanding an inner situation can inform a workable exit.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
六五 · 5
箕子之明夷，利貞。
《小象》：箕子之貞，明不可息也。
The historical example evokes inward integrity and outward discretion.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上六 · 6
不明晦，初登于天，後入于地。
《小象》：初登于天，照四國也；後入于地，失則也。
A fall from height warns against dependence on failing power.
The top line ends this pattern; consider excess, closure and a next stage.
Relate it to your question
Separate known facts, unconfirmed information and available actions. Which part of this symbol fits, and which does not?
