I Ching · Hexagram 6 of 64
Hexagram 6: Song （讼） — Conflict
Heaven moves westward and water flows east, the two going opposite ways: the image of dispute. The hexagram holds that litigation ends in misfortune, and that one should be watchful, keep to the center and quiet the quarrel, seeking a just elder when a dispute arises rather than trying to win by contention.
At a glance
| Hexagram | 6 of 64 |
|---|---|
| Name | Song 讼 · Conflict |
| Upper trigram | Qian （乾）· Heaven |
| Lower trigram | Kan （坎）· Water |
| Structure | Heaven over Water |
| Lines | 6 lines |
The Judgment （卦辞）
Song. There is sincerity, yet obstruction. Watchful, keeping to the middle: good fortune. To the end: misfortune. It is favorable to see the great man; it is unfavorable to cross the great water.
ExplainedSincerity there may be, but each holds his own view and the way is blocked. In a dispute the precious thing is to stand watchfully in the middle, blaming neither side wholly, and then good fortune may still be salvaged. To insist on being right to the end is misfortune, for litigation destroys and never builds. Seek a broad-minded and just elder to reconcile the parties; one who loves to contend can never cross great waters.
Tuan Zhuan — Commentary on the Judgment （彖传）
Song: above the firm, below the perilous; perilous yet strong. That is Song. Song: sincerity obstructed, watchfulness and the middle giving good fortune, because the firm comes and obtains the center. Misfortune to the end, for litigation accomplishes nothing. Favorable to see the great man, who values the central and the right. Unfavorable to cross the great water: one would fall into the abyss.
ExplainedFirm above and perilous below: to know the danger and force ahead anyway is what breeds contention. Both inner lines are firm, which shows that safety lies in gaining the center and holding it with vigilance. Litigation cannot succeed, so it ends in misfortune; the great man is honored because he values the central and the right, and to go on contending is to sink ever deeper into the abyss.
Xiang Zhuan — Image Commentary （大象）
Heaven and water move away from each other: Song. Thus the gentleman considers the beginning of every undertaking.
ExplainedHeaven and water go their separate ways, as people of one origin divide in opinion. The gentleman therefore considers the beginning of every matter, tracing a dispute back to its common source rather than judging who is right at the end.
The Six Lines （六爻）
The lines are read from the bottom upward. Each carries its own text, a Small Image commentary, and a plain-English reading.
Line 1 · YinLine 1
He does not prolong the matter: some words are spoken, but in the end good fortune.
Small ImageNot prolonging the matter: litigation may not be long. Though some words are spoken, the right is made clear.
ExplainedThis is the pivotal line of the whole hexagram: resolve at the very start not to prolong the dispute. Though others call it weakness, stop early, apologize and step back; a quarrel lengthened becomes impossible to control, and the next stage is open war.
Line 2 · YangLine 2
He cannot win the case; he returns and flees to his town of three hundred households. No harm.
Small ImageHe cannot win; he returns and flees, a hiding away. From below to sue above: trouble is picked up.
ExplainedHere one sues upward from below: right may be on his side, but position is not. Knowing he cannot win, he should withdraw quickly to his own place and keep what is his; to contend against the powerful is to pick up trouble with both hands.
Line 3 · YinLine 3
He feeds on the old virtue: steadfastness is perilous, but the end is good. Perhaps he serves in the king's affairs, without achievement.
Small ImageFeeding on the old virtue: following the one above brings good fortune.
ExplainedOne who inherits ancestral blessing has no need to contend for land or gain, yet his uprightness is still tested and he may fall into waste. Let him take up the king's work, seek no personal achievement, and keep company with the upright, and good fortune grows.
Line 4 · YangLine 4
He cannot win the case; he returns to his destiny and changes. In peace and steadfastness, good fortune.
Small ImageReturning to destiny and changing: in peace and steadfastness he loses nothing.
ExplainedThis is not retreat from weakness but the deliberate choice to stop contending. The turn is to return to one's destiny, exchanging ambition for the cultivation of nature; whoever rests in steadfastness loses nothing, while the stores of the world are forever being lost.
Line 5 · YangLine 5
Song: supreme good fortune.
Small ImageSong, supreme good fortune: because he is central and right.
ExplainedHaving returned to the source and held the one, wisdom opens and there is supreme good fortune. Such a person no longer wins by argument but persuades by the life he lives; being wholly central and right, he dissolves contention without a word.
Line 6 · YangLine 6
Perhaps he is given a leather belt, but before the morning is out it is taken from him three times.
Small ImageReceiving office through litigation is not worthy of respect.
ExplainedWhoever prospers by his tongue may be given office as the reward of contention, but within a single morning he may lose it three times. To argue for profit and position brings no true respect and ends in distrust.
Key takeaway
Contention can accomplish nothing: be watchful, keep to the center, and quiet the quarrel at its source.
Frequently asked questions
What does Hexagram 6 (Song) mean in the I Ching?
Heaven moves westward and water flows east, the two going opposite ways: the image of dispute. The hexagram holds that litigation ends in misfortune, and that one should be watchful, keep to the center and quiet the quarrel, seeking a just elder when a dispute arises rather than trying to win by contention.
What is the judgment of Hexagram 6?
Song. There is sincerity, yet obstruction. Watchful, keeping to the middle: good fortune. To the end: misfortune. It is favorable to see the great man; it is unfavorable to cross the great water. Sincerity there may be, but each holds his own view and the way is blocked. In a dispute the precious thing is to stand watchfully in the middle, blaming neither side wholly, and then good fortune may still be salvaged. To insist on being right to the end is misfortune, for litigation destroys and never builds. Seek a…
What do the six lines of Hexagram 6 say?
Line 1: He does not prolong the matter: some words are spoken, but in the end good fortune. Line 2: He cannot win the case; he returns and flees to his town of three hundred households. No harm. Line 3: He feeds on the old virtue: steadfastness is perilous, but the end is good. Perhaps he serves in the king's affairs, without achievement. Line 4: He cannot win the case; he returns to his destiny and changes. In peace and steadfastness, good fortune. Line 5: Song: supreme good fortune. Line 6: Perhaps he is given a leather belt, but before the morning is out it is taken from him three times.
What is the main lesson of Hexagram 6 (Conflict)?
Contention can accomplish nothing: be watchful, keep to the center, and quiet the quarrel at its source.
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