Hexagram 30. Radiance (離 Lí)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
- Below
- ☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
Symbolic Meaning
離 (Lí) describes illumination that depends on what it attaches to. Clarity arises through connection, but requires a stable source to persist.
Judgment
Original Chinese:
利貞，亨。畜牝牛，吉。
(Lì zhēn, hēng. Xù pìn niú, jí.)
"It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. Clarity brings smooth progress. Sustaining the yielding source brings favorable outcome."
Radiance is not independent—it depends on what sustains it. Alignment ensures that clarity remains stable rather than destructive.
The image of the yielding animal indicates the need for a steady, receptive foundation that supports illumination.
Image
Original Chinese:
明兩作，離。大人以繼明照四方。
(Míng liǎng zuò, lí. Dà rén yǐ jì míng zhào sì fāng.)
"Double brightness rises together: radiance. A person of great capacity continues this brightness and illuminates the four directions."
Two sources of light reinforce each other. Illumination is sustained through continuity.
Clarity is not momentary—it must be maintained and extended to remain effective.
Line 1
Original Chinese:
履錯然，敬之无咎。
(Lǚ cuò rán, jìng zhī wú jiù.)
"Steps are irregular. Maintain attentiveness—no error."
Initial movement lacks clarity. Precision has not yet formed.
Careful attention prevents error while clarity develops.
Line 2
Original Chinese:
黃離，元吉。
(Huáng lí, yuán jí.)
"Central radiance. Primary favorable outcome."
Clarity is balanced and centered. It is neither excessive nor deficient.
This is stable illumination—aligned and effective.
Line 3
Original Chinese:
日昃之離，不鼓缶而歌，則大耋之嗟，凶。
(Rì zè zhī lí, bù gǔ fǒu ér gē, zé dà dié zhī jiē, xiōng.)
"Radiance declines as the sun lowers. If one does not recognize this, decline leads to regret. Unfavorable outcome."
Clarity is diminishing. Acting as though it remains at full strength leads to error.
Failure to adjust to decline results in loss and regret.
Line 4
Original Chinese:
突如其來如，焚如，死如，棄如。
(Tū rú qí lái rú, fén rú, sǐ rú, qì rú.)
"It arrives abruptly, flares, exhausts, and is discarded."
An intense but unstable surge of energy appears. It lacks sustaining structure.
Without proper grounding, intensity collapses quickly.
Line 5
Original Chinese:
出涕沱若，戚嗟若，吉。
(Chū tì tuó ruò, qī jiē ruò, jí.)
"Sorrow is fully expressed. Favorable outcome."
Clarity reveals loss or truth that cannot be avoided. Emotional release restores alignment.
Through acknowledgment, stability returns.
Line 6
Original Chinese:
王用出征，有嘉折首，獲匪其醜，无咎。
(Wáng yòng chū zhēng, yǒu jiā zhé shǒu, huò fěi qí chǒu, wú jiù.)
"The governing authority uses clarity to act decisively. The chief obstruction is cut down, while the others are not taken. No error."
Illumination allows identification of the core issue. Action is precise and targeted.
By addressing the root rather than the surface, resolution is achieved.