Hexagram 38 · 睽 · Kuí
Opposition
- Element:
- Fire over Lake
- Key themes:
- conflict, misunderstanding, resolution, patience, harmony
Image
Fire above a lake, symbolizing opposition and the need for resolution.
Overall message
Hexagram 38 represents the concept of opposition and conflict. It emphasizes the importance of patience, understanding, and clear communication in resolving conflicts. Success comes from overcoming opposition and fostering harmony.
Address conflicts and misunderstandings with patience and understanding. Seek resolution and harmony. Success comes from overcoming opposition through clear communication and mutual respect.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. Khwei indicates that, (notwithstanding the condition of things which it denotes), in small matters there will (still) be good success.
Image. (The trigram representing) fire above, and that for (the waters of) a marsh below, form Khwei. The superior man, in accordance with this, where there is a general agreement, yet admits diversity.
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · Completion of Opposition
The period of opposition comes to an end. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.
Reflect on the experience and learn from it. Prepare for future harmony.
Line 5 · Leadership in Resolution
Strong leadership enhances conflict resolution and harmony.
Lead with wisdom and patience. Ensure the resolution of conflicts.
Line 4 · Building Bridges
Build bridges and seek common ground. Focus on harmony.
Find common ground and build bridges. Work towards harmony.
Line 3 · Overcoming Misunderstanding
Misunderstandings may arise, but they can be overcome with clear communication.
Communicate clearly and openly. Overcome misunderstandings with patience.
Line 2 · Seeking Understanding
Seek to understand the root of the conflict. Focus on resolution.
Understand the underlying issues. Work towards resolving the conflict.
Line 1 · Initial Conflict
The beginning of a conflict. Be cautious and patient.
Start with a cautious and patient approach. Avoid escalating the conflict.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 39 · 蹇 · Jiǎn. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.
Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 64 · 未济 · Wèi Jì
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 21 · 噬嗑 · Shì Kē
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 14 · 大有 · Dà Yǒu
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 41 · 损 · Sǔn
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 10 · 履 · Lǚ
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 54 · 归妹 · Guī Mèi