Outline（大纲）
- Hexagram Identification
- Keywords
- Historical Context
- Core Interpretation
- Symbolic Representation
- Qualities and Attributes
- Line-by-Line Analysis
- Comparative Analogies
- Related Resources
- Modern Relevance & Guidance
- Essence Summary
Hexagram Identification
- Number: 30
- Chinese Name (Pinyin): 离 (Lí)
- English Name: The Clinging
- Symbol & Structure: ䷝ (Lí 离 repeated, fire above and below). Both upper and lower trigrams are Lí, representing Fire (光明 guāng míng, illumination; 依附 yī fù, clinging). The hexagram’s structure—two Yang lines surrounding a central Yin line in each trigram—mirrors the shape of a flame (outer brightness, inner void), symbolizing how light and warmth arise from mutual dependence.
Keywords
- Clinging (依附): Healthy interdependence for growth
- Illumination (光明): Inner wisdom and clarity
- Civilization (文明): Cultural progress through shared values
- Transformation (转化): Fire’s power to purify and renew
- Collaboration (协作): Mutual support for sustained energy
- Inner Radiance (内明): Cultivating light from within
- Adaptable Strength (柔中): Flexibility rooted in core purpose
- Symbolic Connection (象联): Using symbols to unite and inspire
Historical Context
Lí, the 30th hexagram in the I Ching, follows Kǎn (The Abysmal, 29th hexagram) and completes the “Water-Fire” pair (坎离 Kǎn-Lí), representing life’s fundamental dualities of danger and illumination. The judgment “Lí: 利贞，亨；畜牝牛，吉” (“The Clinging: Beneficial to be correct, prosperous; Raising a gentle cow, auspicious”) emphasizes that sustained brightness requires ethical alignment and nurturing soft strength.
Classic interpretations include:
- Wang Bi (魏晋・王弼) in Commentary on the I Ching (《周易注》) describes Lí as “two fires leaning on each other,” explaining that “clinging” here is not passive but a conscious choice to align with worthy goals.
- Kong Yingda (唐・孔颖达) in Zhouyi 正义 (《周易正义》) links the hexagram to “Heaven’s virtue of clarity” (天德之明), viewing fire as a symbol of wisdom that illuminates both nature and human culture.
- Zhu Xi (宋・朱熹) in The Meaning of the I Ching (《周易本义》) highlights the central Yin line as “softness within strength,” advising that true influence arises from humble adaptability, like a cow’s gentle yet steadfast nature.
Lí’s imagery of “fire burning continuously” (明两作 míng liǎng zuò) became a cornerstone for Chinese philosophical concepts of “illumination through 依附” (依附而明 yī fù ér míng).
Core Interpretation
Lí embodies the principle of “clinging to what is bright”—using interdependence to sustain light and warmth. The outer Yang lines represent strength and clarity, while the inner Yin line symbolizes the receptive void that allows fire to burn (no fuel, no flame). This creates a balance between active radiance and humble dependence.
- Yin-Yang Dynamics: Each Lí trigram has two Yang lines (outer) and one Yin line (inner), forming a “soft-centered” structure. The hexagram as a whole is Yin in nature (due to central Yin), emphasizing that lasting influence comes from nurturing relationships and values, not force.
- Five Elements: Lí belongs to Fire (火 huǒ), associated with transformation, wisdom, and the ability to connect people through shared vision (like a campfire gathering communities).
Symbolic Representation
Natural Symbolism
- Dual Fire (两火): Sunlight and flame—sunrise/sunset as continuous illumination, and fire as both a destroyer (wildfire) and a sustainer (hearth fire), symbolizing the dual nature of attachment: life-giving when purposeful, destructive when obsessive.
- Hollow Center (中虚): Fire needs space and fuel to burn, mirroring how creativity and clarity require openness to new ideas and experiences.
Social Symbolism
Lí relates to shared purpose and cultural unity:
- Ancient Rituals: Fires used in ceremonies to connect communities, symbolizing how shared beliefs (the “flame” of values) bind societies together.
- Governance: Wise leaders as “sources of light,” illuminating paths for others (e.g., implementing ethical policies that inspire trust, like the hexagram’s “gentle cow” virtue).
Cultural Symbolism
- Confucian Ethics: “Illuminating the self and others” (修身齐家 xiū shēn qí jiā), where personal virtue (inner fire) radiates to transform society.
- Taoist Alchemy: Fire as a metaphor for refining the mind (炼心 liàn xīn), burning away ignorance to reveal inner truth.
- Art and Literature: The motif of “light in darkness,” such as lanterns in Chinese festivals, reflecting Lí’s teaching that even small sparks of purpose can guide through chaos.
Qualities and Attributes
Lí celebrates virtues that transform dependence into strength:
- Purposeful Clinging (附正): Choosing to align with ethical goals (like fire clinging to a steady flame), avoiding harmful attachments (e.g., greed, toxic relationships).
- Radiant Humility (明柔): Leading with empathy and adaptability, like a cow’s gentle strength—effective without dominance.
- Cultural Vision (文明): Fostering shared values that unite people, whether through art, education, or community traditions.
- Transformative Clarity (化明): Using challenges to refine purpose, as fire purifies metal or transforms wood into warmth.
Line-by-Line Analysis
1st Yang Line (初九：履错然，敬之，无咎)
“Stepping forward with caution; showing reverence—no blame.”
Meaning: Begin new attachments (projects, relationships) with mindfulness to avoid misalignment.
Guidance: When joining a new team, observe norms and values first (e.g., a new hire taking time to understand company culture) to build a solid foundation.
2nd Yin Line (六二：黄离，元吉)
“Yellow clinging; great auspiciousness.”
Meaning: Centeredness and humility (yellow symbolizes earth’s neutrality) bring success.
Guidance: Leaders who stay grounded in core values (e.g., prioritizing employee well-being over profits) create thriving environments.
3rd Yang Line (九三：日昃之离，不鼓缶而歌，则大耋之嗟，凶)
“Setting sun’s light; not singing while striking a pot leads to old age’s sigh—ominous.”
Meaning: Resisting change or refusing to celebrate life’s phases leads to regret.
Guidance: Embrace transitions (e.g., a mid-career shift) with openness; stagnation in comfort zones breeds dissatisfaction.
4th Yang Line (九四：突如其来如，焚如，死如，弃如)
“Burning suddenly, blazing, destroying, abandoned.”
Meaning: Uncontrolled ambition or abrupt changes (like a wildfire) cause ruin.
Guidance: Avoid impulsive decisions (e.g., rebranding without planning)—sustained growth requires gradual, mindful action.
5th Yin Line (六五：出涕沱若，戚嗟若，吉)
“Shedding tears, sighing with sorrow—auspicious.”
Meaning: Humble recognition of flaws (e.g., a leader admitting mistakes) leads to trust and renewal.
Guidance: Apologizing sincerely in conflicts (e.g., a team’s failed project) paves the way for collective improvement.
6th Yang Line (上九：王用出征，有嘉折首，获匪其丑，无咎)
“The king goes to war, honored for beheading enemies; capturing not his own people—no blame.”
Meaning: Using strength to protect shared values (not personal gain) is justified.
Guidance: Standing up for ethics (e.g., whistleblowing against corruption) is necessary, even when challenging.
Comparative Analogies
Ecology
Lí mirrors symbiotic relationships in nature:
- Mutualism (共生): Lichens (algae and fungi clinging together) thrive because each provides what the other needs, reflecting “clinging for mutual benefit.”
- Fire’s Role: Controlled burns (like Lí’s gentle flame) clear debris, fostering new growth—parallel to letting go of toxic attachments to nurture inner light.
Management
In organizational culture, Lí advises “shared purpose leadership”:
- Vision Building: Creating a “flame” of mission (e.g., Google’s “organize the world’s information”) that unites employees, similar to the hexagram’s emphasis on collective illumination.
- Adaptive Strategy: Like fire adjusting to available fuel, companies must pivot while clinging to core values (e.g., Patagonia’s environmental focus during business expansion).
Psychology
Relates to “secure attachment theory”:
- Healthy relationships involve “clinging with autonomy”—maintaining individuality while connecting deeply, echoing Lí’s balance of outer strength (Yang) and inner receptivity (Yin).
- Overcoming codependency: Recognizing that true love, like fire, needs space to breathe—avoiding the 九四爻’s “burning abruptly” through obsessive control.
Related Resources
- Classic Translations
- I Ching: The Book of Changes (Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, 1950) – Describes Lí as “the power of the cling” and emphasizes its connection to “the beauty of form.”
- The I Ching: A New Translation (John Minford, 2014) – Highlights the hexagram’s focus on “illumination through dependence” and its relevance to modern social networks.
- Modern Studies
- The Ethics of Clinging in Confucian Thought (Chen Lai, 2016) – Explores how Lí informs concepts of loyalty and virtue in social relationships.
- Fire in Taoist Philosophy (Livia Kohn, 2010) – Connects the hexagram’s imagery to alchemical practices of inner transformation.
- Authoritative Websites
- I Ching Online (https://www.ichingonline.net) – Offers practical insights on using Lí to build meaningful connections and clarify personal purpose.
- Stanford Social Innovation Review (https://ssir.org) – Articles on mission-driven leadership that resonate with Lí’s “shared light” principles.
- Psychology Today – Attachment Theory (https://www.psychologytoday.com) – Guides to healthy interdependence, aligned with the hexagram’s balance of autonomy and connection.
Modern Relevance & Guidance
Workplace & Leadership
- Team Cohesion: Use the 六二爻’s “yellow clinging”—foster a culture of inclusivity (neutral, centered values) to unite diverse talents (e.g., regular team-building activities that emphasize shared goals).
- Innovation Strategy: Avoid the 九四爻’s “abrupt fire”—test ideas incrementally (e.g., pilot programs) before full implementation to reduce risk.
- Ethical Leadership: Emulate the 上九爻’s “just war”—stand firm against unethical practices (e.g., refusing to cut corners for profit), even when met with resistance.
Personal Growth
- Healthy Attachments: Practice the 初九爻’s “reverent stepping”—choose relationships and goals that align with your values, avoiding impulsive commitments (e.g., clarifying personal priorities before accepting a new job).
- Embracing Change: Learn from the 九三爻’s “setting sun”—celebrate life stages (e.g., aging, career transitions) as opportunities for wisdom, not reasons for fear.
Relationships
- Emotional Balance: Use the 六五爻’s “sorrowful clarity”—acknowledge vulnerabilities (e.g., expressing needs in a partnership) to deepen trust, avoiding the trap of perfectionism.
- Boundaries: Like fire needing space to burn, maintain personal autonomy within relationships—share goals while respecting individual paths (e.g., supporting a partner’s hobby without over-involvement).
Risk Warning
- Obsessive Clinging: Avoid the 九四爻’s “destructive fire”—don’t cling to toxic jobs, relationships, or beliefs out of fear of change; discern when “letting go” is the path to renewal.
- Superficial Attachments: The hexagram’s “gentle cow” virtue warns against chasing empty status or trends—focus on nurturing inner purpose (the “central Yin”) for lasting fulfillment.
Essence Summary
Lí, the Hexagram of The Clinging, reveals a profound truth: true strength and illumination arise from conscious, ethical interdependence. Its dual fire symbolizes how we thrive not in isolation, but by clinging to what is bright—shared values, meaningful connections, and inner wisdom that guides us through darkness.
In a world often divided by individualism and short-term gains, Lí offers a timeless lesson: like a flame that needs both fuel and space, we must nurture our inner radiance while embracing healthy attachments—to people, purposes, and principles that elevate us. It teaches that “clinging” is not weakness, but a sacred choice to align with what sustains and transforms us, whether in the quiet warmth of a family hearth or the far-reaching glow of a cultural vision.
Ultimately, Lí invites us to be both the fire and the fuel—radiating light for others while remaining open to the wisdom of those who light our way. In this dance of giving and receiving, we discover that the brightest flames are those that burn together, transforming dependence into a source of endless, shared illumination.