離 → 觀

Commentary

Doubled fire meets wind moving over earth: brilliance is obscured and must be discerned through careful observation. Yin veils the yang; eyes grow dim and cannot see clearly. The ruler worries for his state. Seeking a red sacrificial beast, he obtains a yellow one instead; a young colt follows along behind. The verse depicts a ruler whose vision has been clouded — seeking one thing but receiving another. The color substitution (red sought, yellow obtained) suggests settling for a compromise that may prove adequate, while the trailing colt hints at unforeseen consequences. From The Clinging to Contemplation, fire's penetrating light submits to the wider perspective of wind surveying the land. When direct vision fails, contemplative observation from a distance reveals what close scrutiny cannot.