离
LíUpper: Fire · 离 · Lower: Fire · 离
Judgment利贞。亨。畜牝牛，吉。
In plain wordsIt favors staying on the right course, with success; keeping a cow brings good fortune. One should cling to the right way and see clearly what is right and wrong, while treating others with gentleness.
The imageFire above, fire below: fire upon fire, light following light, burning by clinging to fuel; a picture of brightness and dependence.
A hint for youKeep a clear head and a gentle manner. What you rely on, whether values or people, determines how far your light can reach.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初九履错然，敬之无咎。The first line, undivided, shows one ready to move with confused steps. But he treads at the same time reverently, and there will be no mistake.
- 六二黄离，元吉。The second line, divided, shows its subject in his place in yellow. There will be great good fortune.
- 九三日昃之离，不鼓缶而歌，则大耋之差，凶。The third line, undivided, shows its subject in a position like that of the declining 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.
- 九四突如其来如，焚如，死如，弃如。The fourth line, undivided, shows the manner of its subject's coming. How abrupt it is, as with fire, with death, to be rejected (by all)!
- 六五出涕沱若，戚嗟若，吉。The fifth line, divided, shows its subject as one with tears flowing in torrents, and groaning in sorrow. There will be good fortune.
- 上九王用出征，有嘉折首，获匪其丑，无咎。The topmost line, undivided, shows the king employing 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.
Clarity; hold to what is bright
For entertainment and self-reflection only