Hexagram 38Upper Li · FireLower Dui · Lake

Kui · Opposition

睽卦 · 火泽睽

Disagreement
Distance
Common ground
Misunderstanding

The Judgment

Khwei indicates that, (notwithstanding the condition of things which it denotes), in small matters there will (still) be good success.

小事吉。

The Image

Fire above, the lake below: opposition. The noble one, in the same way, finds common ground while keeping their differences.

上火下泽，睽。君子以同而异。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

A disagreement has opened between you and the people around you, or between you and a particular matter, and your directions seem to be drifting apart. Kui is fire rising while the lake sinks, each going its own way. It may be different values, poor communication, or both sides seeing the other through tinted glasses, with misunderstandings piling up.

Where to put your effort

For now, good fortune lies in small matters: hold off on big collaborations and look for agreement on small things first. Accept that differences exist: agree on the fundamental goal and allow difference in the details. Much opposition comes from misunderstanding; meet more and talk more, and misunderstandings often clear.

Four areas of life

Career: Above and below do not connect; handle it with integrity.
Wealth: Buy what others discard; there is still a small profit.
Family: Moving away is advisable; choose a spouse carefully.
Health: Heat above and damp below; truly hard to treat.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Nine at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows that (to its subject) occasion for repentance will disappear. He has lost his horses, but let him not seek for them;—they will return of themselves. Should he meet with bad men, he will not err (in communicating with them).Moving

初九：悔亡，丧马勿逐，自复。见恶人，无咎。

Image：Meeting a bad person: to avoid blame.

Career: Good luck is just arriving; let things take their course.
Wealth: No need to worry; great success later.
Family: Smooth and blameless; wait patiently.
Health: Nothing serious.

Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows its subject happening to meet with his lord in a bye-passage. There will be no error.Moving

九二：遇主于巷，无咎。

Image：Meeting one's lord in a narrow lane: not losing the way.

Career: A lucky meeting of the right people; press boldly ahead.
Wealth: You meet a backer and run the business together.
Family: A distinguished visitor; beware of a secret affair.
Health: You will find a good doctor.

Six in the third placeIn the third line, divided, we see one whose carriage is dragged back, while the oxen in it are pushed back, and he is himself subjected to the shaving of his head and the cutting off of his nose. There is no good beginning, but there will be a good end.Moving

六三：见舆曳，其牛掣。其人天且劓，无初有终。

Image：Seeing the cart dragged back: the position is not right. No beginning but a good end: meeting with firmness.

Career: Possible injury or punishment; hold on for three years.
Wealth: Harmony with people is hard; no profit to be had.
Family: Facing west is better; doubt first, then understanding.
Health: A sore on the face that will heal in time.

Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows its subject solitary amidst the (prevailing) disunion. (But) he meets with the good man (represented by the first line), and they blend their sincere desires together. The position is one of peril, but there will be no mistake.Moving

九四：睽孤，遇元夫。交孚，厉无咎。

Image：Trusting each other, no blame: the will is carried out.

Career: A solitary nature, but friends help you.
Wealth: Stuck between options; an old friend lends a hand.
Family: Desolate surroundings.
Health: An eye problem; see a doctor.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, shows that (to its subject) occasion for repentance will disappear. With his relative (and minister he unites closely and readily) as if he were biting through a piece of skin. When he goes forward (with this help), what error can there be?Moving

六五：悔亡，厥宗噬肤，往何咎？

Image：His kinsman bites through the skin: going forward brings celebration.

Career: Help from your own clan; you can rest easy.
Wealth: Be careful with partnerships and keep yourself honest.
Family: The old house is livable; family ties grow closer.
Health: A skin problem that is not hard to cure.

Nine at the topThe topmost line, undivided, shows its subject solitary amidst the (prevailing) disunion. (In the subject of the third line, he seems to) see a pig bearing on its back a load of mud, (or fancies) there is a carriage full of ghosts. He first bends his bow against him, and afterwards unbends it, (for he discovers) that he is not an assailant to injure, but a near relative. Going forward, he shall meet with (genial) rain, and there will be good fortune.Moving

上九：睽孤，见豕负涂，载鬼一车。先张之弧，后说之弧，匪寇婚构。往遇雨则吉。

Image：The good fortune of meeting rain: all doubts vanish.

Career: A turning point; keep your heart right and your intentions sincere.
Wealth: Profit comes after the autumn rains.
Family: Guard against bad influences; the marriage ends in harmony.
Health: Illness born of suspicion; clear the doubt and you will be fine.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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