Hexagram 38 · 睽

Fire rises above the lake while water tends downward. The two images share a setting but move differently. Kui means opposition or estrangement. Its picture asks how people can remain connected without pretending that their perspectives or aims are identical.

1. Line 1 · 初九

   悔亡，喪馬勿逐，自復；見惡人无咎。

   Regret disappears. The horse is lost; do not pursue it, for it returns by itself. Meeting an unpleasant person brings no blame.

   Nine in the first place is yang learning not to force a separated connection. The Small Image favors civil contact to avoid fault, like remaining courteous to a difficult colleague without chasing their approval.

2. Line 2 · 九二

   遇主于巷，无咎。

   Meeting the lord in a narrow lane. No blame.

   Nine in the second place is central yang corresponding with the fifth yin through an informal meeting. The Small Image finds no departure from the way, like resolving a small misunderstanding through a quiet direct conversation.

3. Line 3 · 六三

   見輿曳，其牛掣，其人天且劓，无初有終。

   Seeing the carriage dragged back, its ox restrained, and its driver marked on the forehead and deprived of the nose. No beginning, but there is an end.

   Six in the third place is yin out of position amid obstructing forces. The Small Image looks to meeting firm support, like a stalled collaboration becoming workable once the right responsible partner is reached.

4. Line 4 · 九四

   睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厲无咎。

   Alone in opposition, one meets a genuine man and exchanges trust. Danger, but no blame.

   Nine in the fourth place is isolated yang finding sincere contact with another firm line. The Small Image allows its purpose to proceed, like discovering an honest collaborator outside one's familiar professional circle.

5. Line 5 · 六五

   悔亡，厥宗噬膚，往何咎。

   Regret disappears. One's kin bites through soft flesh. Going forward, what blame is there?

   Six in the fifth place is central yin corresponding with the second yang. The Small Image sees benefit in that easy opening, like a trusted intermediary removing a minor barrier between two colleagues.

6. Line 6 · 上九

   睽孤，見豕負塗，載鬼一車，先張之弧，後說之弧，匪寇婚媾，往遇雨則吉。

   Alone in opposition, one sees a pig covered in mud and a cart loaded with ghosts. First the bow is drawn, afterward relaxed. Not a raider, but a marriage seeker. Going forward and meeting rain brings good fortune.

   Nine at the top is yang whose isolation breeds suspicion before correspondence becomes clear. The Small Image says doubts dissolve, like rereading an alarming message after learning the sender's actual intention.

Start with the small point where cooperation is possible. Keep your own judgment while testing whether suspicion rests on facts or misunderstanding.

• Nuclear既濟63
• Inverted家人37
• Opposite蹇39
• Previous家人37
• Next蹇39