訟

Hexagram 6 · 訟

Upper trigram: 乾 · Lower trigram: 坎

Song (Conflict): the hexagram of opposing claims. Clarify the beginning, seek fair judgment, and avoid pursuing a dispute to exhaustion.

The image

Heaven is above water, their movements taking different directions. Firm insistence stands over a difficult inner current. Song means conflict or litigation, where sincere claims can still meet obstruction. The picture asks how disagreement began and whether a fair stopping point remains possible.

Judgment

有孚，窒，惕，中吉，終凶。利見大人，不利涉大川。

Sincerity meets obstruction. Be watchful: stopping midway brings good fortune; carrying it through brings misfortune. It is beneficial to meet a great person. It is not beneficial to cross the great river.

The commentary values balanced judgment over completing a quarrel at any cost. A disagreement over shared expenses often benefits from a neutral review before either person raises the stakes.

Great Image

天與水違行，訟；君子以作事謀始。

Heaven and water move apart: Conflict. The exemplary person accordingly considers the beginning when undertaking affairs.

Many disputes grow from assumptions left unstated at the start. Writing down responsibilities before a joint project can prevent later resentment over who promised what.

Line texts

  1. Line 1 · 初六

    不永所事，小有言，終吉。

    Do not prolong the matter. There is a little talk against one, but good fortune in the end.

    Six in the first place is yin able to withdraw before a dispute grows. The Small Image says the distinction becomes clear, like calmly correcting an invoice without turning it into a personal accusation.

  2. Line 2 · 九二

    不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶无眚。

    Unable to prevail in the dispute, one returns and takes refuge. The three hundred households of one's town are without calamity.

    Nine in the second place is central yang confronting stronger authority above. The Small Image warns against inviting trouble through unequal contention, like keeping an office disagreement from consuming the entire team.

  3. Line 3 · 六三

    食舊德，貞厲，終吉。或從王事，无成。

    Living on former virtue. Constancy amid danger brings good fortune in the end. If serving the king's affairs, claim no achievement.

    Six in the third place uses yin restraint and follows those above, as the Small Image advises. A reliable worker can keep agreed duties without joining a struggle over credit.

  4. Line 4 · 九四

    不克訟，復即命渝，安貞吉。

    Unable to prevail in the dispute, one returns to what is appointed and changes. Peaceful constancy brings good fortune.

    Nine in the fourth place is yang capable of revising its insistence. The Small Image finds no loss in settled constancy, like withdrawing an unfair complaint after reviewing the facts.

  5. Line 5 · 九五

    訟，元吉。

    Judging the dispute. Great good fortune.

    Nine in the fifth place is central and correctly placed yang. Its fairness explains the Small Image's praise, like an impartial supervisor hearing both colleagues before deciding how work should be divided.

  6. Line 6 · 上九

    或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。

    Perhaps one is awarded a ceremonial belt, yet before the morning ends it is taken away three times.

    Nine at the top is yang carrying contention to an extreme. The Small Image denies respect to honors won through quarrelling, like a workplace victory that leaves cooperation badly weakened.

When asking about

Career

Unclear responsibilities often feed disagreement. Seek a fair review and define a workable resolution.

Love

The need to win can crowd out understanding. Name the actual concern and allow each person to be heard.

Money

Disputed terms deserve careful documentation. Separate the amount involved from the emotion of the disagreement.

Home

Small grievances can grow when expectations stay vague. Agree explicitly on shared tasks and expenses.

Study

Debate is useful when evidence remains central. Revise your position when a stronger argument appears.

Health

Repeated arguments can unsettle mood and rest. Make room for calming routines, and see a doctor for any health concern.

Advice

Look for the earliest point where expectations diverged. Seek fair mediation and leave room to end a dispute without humiliation.

Related hexagrams

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Reference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.