Hexagram 6 訟 - SÒNG / CONFLICT

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Trigrams

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• Above: Qián, The Creative, Heaven
• Below: Kǎn, The Abysmal, Water

The upper primary trigram, whose image is heaven, has an upward direction of movement; the lower primary trigram, water, is by its nature directed downward. The directions of movement of the two halves diverge, which gives rise to the idea of conflict.

The attribute of the Creative is strength; that of the Abysmal is danger, craftiness. Where cunning faces force, conflict arises.

A third interpretation is suggested within the character by the combination of inward craftiness and outward strength and determination. Such a character will certainly be prone to conflict.

The Judgment

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Conflict: You are sincere and are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Carrying things through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great man. It does not further one to cross the great water.

Conflict develops when someone encounters opposition while feeling they are in the right. Without the conviction of being right, opposition leads to craftiness or violent encroachment, but not to open conflict.

If one is involved in a conflict, a powerful moderation that is ready at any moment to settle the matter and compromise halfway is the only thing that brings good fortune. Pursuing a conflict to the bitter end brings evil, even if one is in the right, because it perpetuates enmity. It is important to see the great man,¹ whose authority is sufficient to settle the dispute peacefully or decide it justly. On the other hand, one must avoid “crossing the great water” during times of discord, meaning that one should not begin hazardous enterprises, for these require unified and concentrated forces to succeed. Internal conflict paralyzes the strength needed to conquer external dangers.

The Image

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Heaven and water move in opposite directions: the image of Conflict. Thus the superior man, in all his transactions, considers the beginning.

The image indicates that the causes of conflict lie in the pre-existing, opposing directions of both parties. Once such conflicting tendencies are present, conflict follows of necessity. It follows from this that in order to prevent conflict, everything must be carefully considered at the very beginning. If rights and duties are precisely defined, or if the spiritual directions of people are aligned when they form an association, the cause of conflict is eliminated in advance.

The Individual Lines

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Six at the beginning means:

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If one does not perpetuate the matter, there is a little gossip. In the end, good fortune comes.

As long as a conflict is still in its earliest stages, it is best to drop it. Especially when facing a stronger opponent, it is not advisable to let things come to a showdown. This may lead to a slight exchange of words, but in the end, everything turns out well.

Nine in the second place means:

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One cannot conflict; one returns home and gives way. The people of his town, three hundred households, remain free from blame.

In a struggle against a superior adversary, retreat carries no shame. Withdrawing in time avoids evil consequences. If one were to provoke an unequal conflict out of a false sense of honor, one would bring disaster upon oneself. A wise compliance in such a case benefits the entire community, which is thereby spared from being dragged into the dispute.

Six in the third place means:

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To nourish oneself on ancient virtue brings perseverance. Danger. In the end, good fortune comes. If you should happen to serve a king, seek no achievements.

This warns against the danger brought on by an ambitious or encroaching disposition. Only what is honestly earned through past merit remains a permanent possession. Such a possession may be challenged at times, but because it is real property, it cannot be stolen. For one cannot lose what belongs to them by virtue of their own nature. When entering the service of a superior, conflict can only be avoided by not seeking achievements for oneself. It is enough that the work is done; let the honor remain with the other.

Nine in the fourth place means:

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One cannot conflict; one turns back and submits to fate, changes one’s mind and finds peace in perseverance. Good fortune!

The inner disposition is initially restless. One feels uncomfortable with their situation and wishes to improve it through conflict. Since one is dealing with a weaker opponent, this would be entirely possible - marking a contrast with the Nine in the second place - yet one cannot carry on the conflict because one lacks inner justification and a clear conscience. Therefore, one turns back and submits to fate. One changes their mind and thus finds lasting peace in alignment with eternal law. This brings good fortune.

Nine in the fifth place means:

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To litigate before him brings supreme good fortune.

This refers to the arbiter of the conflict, who is powerful, just, and possesses the authority to give weight to the right. One can safely submit a case to him. If one is in the right, supreme good fortune is attained.

Nine at the top means:

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Even if a leather belt is bestowed upon someone, by the end of a single morning it will be snatched away three times.

This depicts someone who has carried a conflict to its bitter end and won. He receives a decoration, but his good fortune is not lasting. It is repeatedly challenged, resulting in endless conflict.

Reference links

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• Hexagram look-up table
• Advanced hexagram correspondence table