Thirtieth Hexagram : The Wisdom of The Clinging

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the thirtieth hexagram of the I Ching, Li (離), which symbolizes 'The Clinging' or 'Fire'. It represents fire over fire, like brightness clinging to what it illuminates, emphasizing dependence, clarity, attachment, and the need for perseverance in nurturing what sustains us. The hexagram statement is: "Li: The Clinging. Success. Perseverance furthers. Taking care of the cow brings good fortune."

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Double Flame, Illumination and Attachment'

Once upon a time, in a realm where double flames burned eternally under heaven's decree, a wise firekeeper tended the sacred fire that clung to all it illuminated, providing clarity and warmth. Success came from persevering in its care, like tending a cow for sustained nourishment. At the outset, the firekeeper's footprints ran crisscross in confusion as he searched for kindling; but with serious intent, no blame befell him in his earnest efforts.

Yellow light emanated from the flame, bringing supreme good fortune as it clung gently, illuminating the path without scorching.

In the light of the setting sun, elders either beat pots and sang in joy or loudly bewailed the approach of old age; misfortune struck those who lamented, unable to cling to the present brightness.

A rebel's flame came suddenly, flaring up, dying down, and was thrown away like ash; its brief existence served as a warning.

The firekeeper, seeing the rebel's fate, wept in floods with sighing and lamenting; yet good fortune followed as his tears cleansed and renewed the attachment to true light.

At last, the king used the double flame to march forth and chastise the rebels; it was best to kill the leaders and take captive the followers, no blame in this decisive clinging to justice.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Nine): The footprints run crisscross. If one is seriously intent, no blame.

This line advises earnest effort amid confusion, blameless if intent is sincere. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, the firekeeper's footprints ran crisscross in confusion as he searched for kindling; but with serious intent, no blame befell him in his earnest efforts." This symbolizes navigating disarray with genuine purpose.

 

Annotation: I Ching Li hexagram first line: "The footprints run crisscross. If one is seriously intent, no blame."

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): Yellow light. Supreme good fortune.

This line represents gentle, balanced illumination bringing ultimate success. Matching part in the tale: "Yellow light emanated from the flame, bringing supreme good fortune as it clung gently, illuminating the path without scorching." Gentle clinging illuminates. Annotation: I Ching Li hexagram second line: "Yellow light. Supreme good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing yellow light bringing supreme good fortune in gentle clinging, representing Li hexagram second line: balanced illumination, flame emanation scene with fire fire, warm yellows and oranges for gentleness."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): In the light of the setting sun, Men either beat the pot and sing Or loudly bewail the approach of old age. Misfortune.

This line warns of reactions to decline: joy or lament, with misfortune in bewailing the inevitable. Matching part in the tale: "In the light of the setting sun, elders either beat pots and sang in joy or loudly bewailed the approach of old age; misfortune struck those who lamented, unable to cling to the present brightness." Lamenting decline misfortunes. Annotation: I Ching Li hexagram third line: "In the light of the setting sun, Men either beat the pot and sing Or loudly bewail the approach of old age. Misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating setting sun light with singing or bewailing old age in misfortune, embodying Li hexagram third line: declining reactions, elder scene with fire fire, muted browns and reds for lament."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): Its coming is sudden; It flames up, dies down, is thrown away.

This line describes fleeting, destructive bursts that end abruptly without lasting value. Matching part in the tale: "A rebel's flame came suddenly, flaring up, dying down, and was thrown away like ash; its brief existence served as a warning." Sudden flare discarded. Annotation: I Ching Li hexagram fourth line: "Its coming is sudden; It flames up, dies down, is thrown away."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying sudden coming flame up die down thrown away as warning, symbolizing Li hexagram fourth line: fleeting destruction, rebel flame scene with fire fire, intense oranges and grays for brevity."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): Tears in floods, sighing and lamenting. Good fortune.

This line indicates sorrow leading to renewal and good fortune through acceptance. Matching part in the tale: "The firekeeper, seeing the rebel's fate, wept in floods with sighing and lamenting; yet good fortune followed as his tears cleansed and renewed the attachment to true light." Sorrow renews fortune. Annotation: I Ching Li hexagram fifth line: "Tears in floods, sighing and lamenting. Good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing tears floods sighing lamenting leading to good fortune renewal, representing Li hexagram fifth line: cleansing sorrow, weeping firekeeper scene with fire fire, vibrant blues and silvers for acceptance."

Top Line (Six at the Top): The king uses him to march forth and chastise. Then it is best to kill the leaders And take captive the followers. No blame.

This line advises decisive action against threats, sparing followers while eliminating leaders, blamelessly. Matching part in the tale: "At last, the king used the double flame to march forth and chastise the rebels; it was best to kill the leaders and take captive the followers, no blame in this decisive clinging to justice." Decisive justice blameless. Annotation: I Ching Li hexagram top line: "The king uses him to march forth and chastise. Then it is best to kill the leaders And take captive the followers. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting king marching to chastise killing leaders capturing followers no blame, symbolizing Li hexagram sixth line: decisive justice, rebel chastise scene with fire fire, dark purples and golds for authority."

This blog should make the six lines of Li hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~