Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 睽 (Kuí) |
| English Name | Opposition / Divergence |
| Trigrams | Fire over Lake (离上兑下) |
| Number | 38 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Opposition. In small matters, good fortune.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Above, fire; below, the lake: the image of Opposition. Thus amid all fellowship the superior man retains his individuality.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | Remorse disappears. If you lose your horse, do not run after it; it will come back of its own accord. When you see evil people, guard yourself against mistakes. | Previous regrets dissolve; the path clears |
| 九二 | 2nd | One meets his lord in a narrow street. No blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 六三 | 3rd | One sees the wagon dragged back, the oxen halted, a man's hair and nose cut off. Not a good beginning, but a good end. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九四 | 4th | Isolated through opposition, one meets a like-minded man with whom one can associate in good faith. Despite the danger, no blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 六五 | 5th | Remorse disappears. The companion bites his way through the wrappings. If one goes to him, how could it be a mistake? | Previous regrets dissolve; the path clears |
| 上九 | Top | Isolated through opposition, one sees one's companion as a pig covered with dirt, as a wagon full of devils. First one draws a bow against him, then one lays the bow aside. He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time. As one goes, rain falls; then good fortune comes. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Opposing forces; finding small common ground amid great differences
- Upper trigram Fire (bright and clinging) over lower trigram Lake (joyous and open)
- Embodies the qualities of opposition, difference, tension and individuality, reconciliation, estrangement
Keywords
OppositionDifferenceTensionIndividualityReconciliationEstrangement
Divination & Prediction
★★☆☆☆Difficult — Small Matters Only
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Challenging period requiring patience. Opposing forces; finding small common ground amid great differences Preserve your strength through reconciliation and estrangement. |
| Timing | Not the time for bold initiatives. Consolidate and wait. |
| Challenge | The temptation to force progress will backfire. Practice individuality. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels opposition and difference. The Fire trigram above suggests bright and clinging energy in your outer dealings, while the Lake trigram below points to joyous and open foundations. Retrench and preserve resources until conditions improve.
Health & Wellness
Focus on heart and eyes and mouth and respiratory. Rest and recovery are priorities. Don't push your body beyond its current capacity.
Relationships
In relationships, embody opposition and difference. Patience and understanding are needed. Avoid confrontation; focus on maintaining what you have.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes tension and individuality. Focus on fundamentals and review. Build a strong foundation before advancing.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate opposition in all your actions
- Practice difference consistently
- Embrace tension as your guiding principle
- Develop individuality through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of reconciliation
- Abandon estrangement under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 37. Jiā Rén (家人) | The Family — harmony vs discord |
| 21. Shì Kè (噬嗑) | Biting Through — resolving differences |
| 54. Guī Mèi (归妹) | Marrying Maiden — union amid opposition |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “My business partner and I have very different visions. Can we make it work?”
You received Hexagram 38, Opposition. The judgment says: 'Opposition. In small matters, good fortune....' Opposing forces; finding small common ground amid great differences This is a cautionary sign. The current conditions call for reconciliation rather than action. Preserve your resources and wait for the cycle to turn.