Situational Guidance
The Li hexagram teaches us that beauty and talent are important, but without the virtue of humility and meekness, they are like fire without roots and cannot last long. True light is the combination of wisdom and kindness.
Hexagram 30
The Clinging
Attached, bright, dependent
The Li hexagram teaches us that beauty and talent are important, but without the virtue of humility and meekness, they are like fire without roots and cannot last long. True light is the combination of wisdom and kindness.
Trigram Structure
䷝, Li above, Li below
Palace：離
Key Themes
Attached, bright, dependent
Judgement
Li: Li Zhen, Heng. Livestock: cow, auspicious.
Natural Symbolism
Sun, flame, lightning, rainbow, pheasant.
Associated Objects
Books, documents, lamps, mirrors, beautiful paintings.
Life Application & Summary
The Li hexagram teaches us that beauty and talent are important, but without the virtue of humility and meekness, they are like fire without roots and cannot last long. True light is the combination of wisdom and kindness.
Line-by-line Interpretation
Line 1
If you do something wrong, respect it and there is no blame.
Guidance
Steps are disordered, mind is restless; maintaining respect brings no fault.
Modern Insight
This is the early stage of light. You have just entered a new field or stage; some confusion and chaos are normal. At this time, the most important thing is not to rush for success, but to maintain a reverent heart and explore carefully; you can stabilize your position.
Line 2
Huangli, Yuanji.
Guidance
Yellow is the color of centrality; attaching to the middle way brings great fortune.
Modern Insight
This is the most auspicious line in the Li hexagram. Yellow represents centrality and the core. You are not fixated on any extreme, but maintain the middle way, neither biased nor partial. Your light is gentle, lasting, and full of wisdom. This is the ideal state.
Line 3
When the sun is gone, if you sing without drumming and fou, the old man will sigh and be fierce.
Guidance
The sun sets in the west, soon to be extinguished; not singing elegies but enjoying remaining years is dangerous.
Modern Insight
Life is like the sun; there is the glory of noon, and there must also be the time of sunset. The wisdom of this line lies in calmly accepting the natural laws of life. When glory passes, learn to enjoy the quiet beauty of plainness and twilight, rather than being immersed in lamenting the past.
Line 4
Like coming out of the blue, like burning, like dying, like abandoning.
Guidance
Coming suddenly, burning out, ultimately to be abandoned.
Modern Insight
This warns against actions that seek quick success and are short-lived. Your success comes quickly and goes quickly because it lacks foundation. This explosive, reckless action will ultimately only leave ashes and be forgotten.
Line 5
It is auspicious to shed tears and sigh.
Guidance
Tears streaming, deeply worried; attaching to the king brings fortune.
Modern Insight
You are in the ruler's position, surrounded by two yang lines above and below (talents), deeply feeling the weight of responsibility, always harboring worry. Precisely because of this attitude of thinking of danger in times of peace and treading on thin ice, you can remain clear-headed and make correct decisions, so it is auspicious.
Line 6
When Wang Yong went on an expedition, he lost his head if he was a good person, but if he was captured by a bandit, he was not guilty.
Guidance
The king goes on an expedition; rewards the meritorious, punishes the chief culprit; no fault.
Modern Insight
This is the application of the way of light. You have absolute power, but in handling problems, you can see clearly, reward and punish fairly. Only strike the chief culprit, unite the majority. This wisdom and tolerance are the key to pacifying chaos and winning hearts.
