I Ching · Hexagram 6 of 64
6. Sòng 訟 · Conflict
By Destiny Kua · Updated
A dispute is brewing. Seek fair terms rather than victory.
- Upper trigram
- Heaven 乾
- Lower trigram
- Water 坎
What hexagram 6 means
Sòng is Heaven rising and Water sinking: two forces moving apart, which makes conflict. The traditional advice is that even if you are in the right, pushing a dispute to the bitter end brings misfortune. Stop halfway, seek a fair mediator, and avoid starting big ventures while the quarrel is live.
Hexagram 6 in daily life
At work
A disagreement or dispute. Put things in writing, seek a neutral party and don't escalate.
In relationships
Arguments are costing more than they win. Look for the compromise before pride sets in.
For yourself
Examine the inner conflict too. Many quarrels start from a split within ourselves.
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 | Don't drag the matter on. There may be some talk, but it ends well. |
| Line 2 | You cannot win this one. Withdraw quietly and go home; no one is harmed. |
| Line 3 | Stay with what you have honestly earned and don't reach for new claims. |
| Line 4 | You cannot win. Turn back, accept things as they are, and find peace. |
| Line 5 | Taking the dispute to a fair judge brings great good fortune. |
| Line 6 | Even if you win an honour through conflict, it may be taken away three times before the day is out. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Water 坎 (Kǎn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Heaven 乾 (Qián), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Metal over Water. Water is the trigram of Kua 1 and Heaven is the trigram of Kua 6.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 36. Míng Yí 明夷 · Darkening of the Light
- Inverted (read upside down): 5. Xū 需 · Waiting
Questions to reflect on
- What would a fair outcome look like to both sides?
- Is winning this worth what it costs?
- Where have I stopped listening?
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.