Hexagram 6: Conflict
䷅ 訟 Sòng – The Book of Changes
The Judgment
Conflict intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction. If he cherishes an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune; if he must prosecute it to the bitter end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
The Image
Heaven and water moving away from each other: the image of Conflict. Thus the superior man, in the transaction of affairs, takes good counsel about his first steps.
Description
Conflict (Song) arises when heaven moves up and water flows down: two forces pulling in opposite directions. Even with right on your side, pushing a dispute to the bitter end brings misfortune. The advice is caution, a willingness to stop halfway, and an impartial mediator.
The six lines
A line's place shapes its role: 1 the beginning, 2 the center of the inner world, 3 the threshold to the outside, 4 close to power, 5 the ruler's place, 6 the end and the excess. Keep this grid in mind and the line texts become much easier to read. More in the guide →
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Line 1: Old Yin (bottom)
Do not begin the dispute. Return is favorable — conflict in seed form is best avoided; humility preserves energy.
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Line 2: Old Yang
Dispute requires mediation. Favorable — resolution comes through a third force; seek wisdom beyond yourself.
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Line 3: Old Yin
Dispute leads to defeat. Danger — stubbornness causes loss; retreat to preserve wholeness.
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Line 4: Old Yang
Dispute is resolved. Favorable — truth emerges through patience; justice is restored.
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Line 5: Old Yang
Dispute with authority. Danger — challenging power demands caution; stay connected to your inner center.
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Line 6: Old Yang (top)
Dispute continues. Blood — prolonged opposition harms both sides; transformation is the only way forward.
Reading by area of life
❤️ What does hexagram 6 mean for relationships and private life?
Tension is in the air, and both sides feel justified. Winning the argument will cost more than it gains. Pause before the next sharp reply and ask what you actually need from the other person. A trusted third party, a friend or counselor, can help where direct talk keeps stalling. Settle what can be settled, and let small points go.
💼 What does hexagram 6 mean for work and money?
Disputes over contracts, credit or money are likely. Check your footing before escalating: is the claim strong, and is the fight worth its price? Avoid lawsuits and risky new ventures for now. Seek arbitration or an experienced adviser. Above all, prevent future conflict by being precise at the start: clear agreements, written terms and honest expectations save months of trouble.
🌌 What does hexagram 6 mean for your personal path and spirituality?
The quarrel within mirrors the one outside: parts of you pull in different directions and each claims to be right. Instead of forcing a winner, listen to both. Where does the dispute actually begin? Most strife can be traced to a careless first step, a vague promise or an unspoken expectation. Learn to see those moments early, and many battles never need to be fought.
Nuclear hexagram
Lines 2, 3 and 4 form the lower trigram, lines 3, 4 and 5 the upper one. Leaving out the beginning and the end reveals the core of the situation, what is at work out of sight. It is a secondary aspect, not a second verdict. If it seems to contradict the main hexagram, that happens and is not an error. More in the guide →
Lines 2, 3, 4 and 3, 4, 5 form nuclear hexagram 37, The Family. It shows what is at work beneath the surface – an inner tendency, not a verdict on the situation itself.
Hexagram 37 – The Family
For the realization of what is taught in the Family, what is most advantageous is that the wife be firm and correct.
The two trigrams
- Upper, outer: Qian – Heaven
- The Creative (Father). Within, it shows itself as will, resolve and the drive to act; without, as an ordering force that gives direction and structure.
- Lower, inner: Kan – Water
- The Abysmal (Middle Son). Within, it stands for trial, depth and commitment; without, for a passage through the dark that brings hidden resources to light.