復 → 明夷
Hexagram 24: Return → Hexagram 36: Darkening of the Light
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 1 changing line (line 3).
Line 3
六三 頻復。厲。无咎。
Six in the third place means: Repeated return. Danger. No blame.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
堯飲舜舞，禹拜上酒。禮樂所豐，可以安處。保我淑女。
Yao drinks, Shun dances; Yu raises the wine in toast. Where rites and music abound; one may dwell in peace. Safeguard my fair maiden.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Thunder returns beneath the earth as the golden age itself returns. Yao pours wine, Shun dances, and Yu offers the ritual cup with a bow. Rites and music flourish in their fullness, and all may dwell in tranquil ease. The verse concludes with a tender wish: 'Protect my virtuous maiden.' This is the Han imagination of primordial harmony — the three sage-kings performing their ancient roles in perfect concord, a ritual tableau promising security even for the most vulnerable. From Return to Darkening of the Light, fire sinks beneath the earth, brightness deliberately concealed. The paradox deepens: the very memory of the golden age illuminates the darkness of the present. Light withdraws into the earth precisely to preserve what is precious.
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