Conflict (訟, Sòng) is hexagram 6 of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, in
the traditional King Wen order. It is made of Heaven (☰) above Water
(☵).
Meaning of hexagram 6
Opposing positions are hardening. Winning the argument may cost more
than settling it.
Advice
Stay fair, avoid escalating, and seek a neutral party or a compromise.
The two trigrams
Conflict places ☰ Heaven (Qián), strong, creative and persistent, above
☵ Water (Kǎn), deep, flowing and dangerous. The lower trigram is the
inner side of the situation and the upper one its outer side.
Hexagram
6. Conflict
Chinese name
訟 Sòng
Upper trigram
☰ Heaven (Qián)
Lower trigram
☵ Water (Kǎn)
Lines
4 yang (solid) and 2 yin (broken)
Place in the sequence
6 of 64 (King Wen order)
The six lines of Conflict
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. In a reading, a changing
line (a 6 or a 9 in the three-coin method) draws attention to its
position.
First line(yin, broken): the beginning. The root
of the matter: early stirrings, foundations, and what has not yet
shown itself.
Second line(yang, solid): the inner circle. Your
immediate surroundings and steady supports: how things work at close
range.
Third line(yin, broken): the threshold. A point
of tension between inner and outer, often a test or a restless push
forward.
Fourth line(yang, solid): the approach. Stepping
into wider circles or nearer to authority; caution and good
relationships matter here.
Fifth line(yang, solid): the center of power. The
place of influence and clear leadership: where the situation is most
fully expressed.
Sixth line(yang, solid): the culmination. The far
edge of the situation: completion, overreach, or letting go.