I Ching · Hexagram 38 of 64
38. Kuí 睽 · Opposition
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Differences divide. Find common ground in small things.
- Upper trigram
- Fire 離
- Lower trigram
- Lake 兌
What hexagram 38 means
Kuí shows fire rising above a lake whose water sinks: two forces moving in opposite directions. It is opposition and estrangement. The traditional advice is that great undertakings fail now, but small matters can still go well. Differences can even complement each other when each side stays true to itself.
Hexagram 38 in daily life
At work
Disagreement or misalignment. Work on small shared goals first rather than grand plans.
In relationships
Differences create distance. Seek understanding in small ways instead of demanding agreement.
For yourself
Accept the contradictions in yourself; not every tension needs resolving today.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Regret disappears. A lost horse comes back by itself; don't chase it. Meeting difficult people causes no harm. |
| Line 2 | Meeting your lord in a narrow lane. An informal, chance encounter clears the way. |
| Line 3 | The wagon is dragged back and the oxen held; it looks bad. A poor start, but a good end. |
| Line 4 | Isolated by opposition, you meet a kindred spirit. Danger, but no blame. |
| Line 5 | Regret disappears. Your companion bites through the barrier. Going forward, what harm can come? |
| Line 6 | Isolated, you see enemies everywhere, even in a friend. What you mistook for a threat is a partner. Then the rain falls and tension clears. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Lake 兌 (Duì), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Fire 離 (Lí), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Fire over Metal. Lake is the trigram of Kua 7 and Fire is the trigram of Kua 9.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 39. Jiǎn 蹇 · Obstruction
- Inverted (read upside down): 37. Jiā Rén 家人 · The Family
- Trigrams swapped: 49. Gé 革 · Revolution
Questions to reflect on
- Where could I find common ground in something small?
- Am I misreading someone as an opponent?
- How might this difference actually complement me?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.