初爻：明夷于飞，垂其翼。君子于行，三日不食。有攸往，主人有言。 The light is wounded — drooping wings. The noble travels three days without food; there is purpose. Keep a low profile; conserve strength.
二爻：明夷，夷于左股，用拯马壮，吉。 Light wounded in the left thigh — rescued by a strong horse; auspicious. Timely help arrives.
三爻：明夷于南狩，得其大首，不可疾贞。 Light wounded during the southern hunt — capturing the great chief. Do not rush to act righteously. Be flexible in darkness.
四爻：入于左腹，获明夷之心，于出门庭。 Entering the left belly — grasping the door of wounded light; departing from the courtyard. Understand the darkness, then withdraw.
五爻：箕子之明夷，利贞。 Ji Zi's light is wounded — favorable to stay upright. Hold to the right path in darkness.
上爻：不明晦，初登于天，后入于地。 Not bright but dark — first rising to Heaven, then falling into Earth. Extremes reverse; what rises must fall.