Hexagram 6: Conflict
訟 · Sòng
Conflict: sincere and truthful, yet obstructed. A cautious halt brings good fortune; going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great person; it does not further one to cross the great water.Judgment 卦辭
Heaven and water move away from each other: the image of Conflict. The noble one, in dealing with conflict, considers the beginning before acting.Image 象辭
Core Meaning of Hexagram 6
Hexagram 6 arises when two energies pull apart — Heaven rises, water sinks. Interests, egos or claims collide. The counsel is counter-instinctive: even when you are sincere and right, pushing the fight to the bitter end produces loss for everyone. Conflict is a signal that the ground of agreement has narrowed; the work is to widen it.
Hexagram 6 in a Reading
In a reading, seek mediation — ‘see the great person’ — rather than escalation. Re-examine how the dispute began and your part in it; half of conflict is mis-timing. Avoid launching major ventures (crossing the great water) mid-quarrel. A strategic retreat that preserves the relationship beats a won argument that loses the war.
Common Questions
What does hexagram 6 mean?
Hexagram 6 arises when two energies pull apart — Heaven rises, water sinks. Read the full meaning above, or cast your own reading with our free online I Ching coins.
What is the structure of hexagram 6?
Hexagram 6 is built from the trigram Heaven above and Water below — binary 010111 read from the bottom line to the top. Conflict is King Wen number 6 of the 64 hexagrams.
Related Hexagrams
Other Hexagrams with Trigram Heaven Above
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