I Ching hexagram · 6 of 64
Hexagram 6: Conflict 讼 Sòng · Conflict, justice, negotiation
Disputes arise. Avoid pushing a quarrel to the end; seek fair mediation. You are sincere but obstructed. Stopping halfway brings good fortune; going through to the end brings misfortune. It helps to see a great person. It does not help to cross the great water.
- Upper: ☰ Heaven
- Lower: ☵ Water
- Nuclear: 37
- Opposite: 36
Number
6 of 64
Chinese name
讼 Sòng
Upper trigram
☰ Heaven
Lower trigram
☵ Water
Nuclear hexagram
䷤ 37. The Family
Opposite hexagram
䷣ 36. Darkening of the Light
What hexagram 6 means
Hexagram 6 places heaven above water, two forces moving in opposite directions. It describes disputes, disagreements and legal battles in which both sides believe they are right.
The I Ching advises compromise. Push a conflict to the bitter end and everyone loses; meet halfway, seek a fair mediator, and prevent future disputes by being clear from the start.
The Judgement · 卦辞
讼：有孚，窒惕，中吉，终凶。利见大人，不利涉大川。
You are sincere but obstructed. Stopping halfway brings good fortune; going through to the end brings misfortune. It helps to see a great person. It does not help to cross the great water.
The Image · 象曰
天与水违行，讼；君子以作事谋始。
Heaven and water go their opposite ways: the image of conflict. The noble person thinks carefully about the beginning of everything they do.
The lines and trigrams
Conflict places ☰ Heaven (乾 Qián), the trigram of strength and creative power, above ☵ Water (坎 Kǎn), the trigram of danger and depth. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 6 in your life
Love and relationships
Arguments or misunderstandings may arise. Don't fight to win: listen, find a middle ground and, if needed, ask a trusted third party for perspective.
Personal growth
Being right is not always worth the cost. Learning to let go and settle fairly saves your energy for what matters.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 6 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
Do not drag out the dispute. There may be a little talk, but in the end there is good fortune.
Line 2 九二 · Nine in the second place
You cannot win this conflict, so withdraw. Retreating in time protects you and those who depend on you.
Line 3 六三 · Six in the third place
Living on old virtue. Keep to what is rightfully yours, and in serving others don't seek credit. Good fortune in the end.
Line 4 九四 · Nine in the fourth place
You cannot win the dispute, so turn back and accept your situation. A change of attitude brings peace and good fortune.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
Bringing the dispute before a fair judge brings supreme good fortune. A just mediator settles the matter.
Line 6 上九 · Nine at the top
Even if you win a prize by fighting, it is taken away three times in one morning. Victory won through conflict does not last.
Hexagram 6 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 6 mean?
Hexagram 6, Conflict (讼 Sòng), is about conflict, justice, negotiation. Disputes arise. Avoid pushing a quarrel to the end; seek fair mediation. Hexagram 6 places heaven above water, two forces moving in opposite directions. It describes disputes, disagreements and legal battles in which both sides believe they are right.
What does hexagram 6 mean in love?
Arguments or misunderstandings may arise. Don't fight to win: listen, find a middle ground and, if needed, ask a trusted third party for perspective.
What does hexagram 6 mean for work and money?
Disputes with colleagues, clients or partners. Put agreements in writing, avoid going to court if you can, and don't start risky ventures while a conflict is open.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 6?
Hexagram 6 has Heaven (Qián) as its upper trigram and Water (Kǎn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 6?
Its nuclear hexagram is 37, The Family. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 36, Darkening of the Light. Turned upside down it becomes 5, Waiting.
All 64 hexagrams
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