above Kiën, the Creative, heaven · below Kan, the Abysmal, water
Conflict, already broken out or just brewing: that is what this sign is about. The Judgement advises something uncomfortable: stopping halfway turns out well, fighting it out to the end turns out badly. That makes the enmity permanent, even if you are proved right. Look for a settlement in which each side keeps something, or ask someone impartial for their judgement. Don’t start anything big or risky at this time; conflict saps the strength you would need for it. And whenever you begin something with others in future, make clear right at the start where each of you wants to go.
Where are you clinging to a right that costs you more than it brings you?
The upper primary sign, whose image is heaven, tends to move upwards; the lower primary sign, water, is by its nature directed downwards. The directions in which the two halves move diverge, and this gives rise to the idea of conflict.
The attribute of the Creative is strength, that of the Abysmal danger, guile. Where cunning faces force, there is conflict.
A third derivation suggests itself within the character, through the combination of abysmal guile within and strong determination without. A character of this kind will certainly be quarrelsome.
Some old words keep coming back in Wilhelm’s sayings:
Conflict: you are truthful and are held back.Pausing with care halfway brings good fortune.To see it through to the finish brings misfortune.It is favourable to see the great man.It is not favourable to cross the great water.
Conflict arises when one meets resistance while feeling oneself in the right. Without the conviction of being in the right, resistance leads to cunning or to violent encroachment, but not to open conflict.
If one is caught up in conflict, the only thing that brings good fortune is a powerful level-headedness that is ready at any moment to settle the dispute and to come to terms halfway. To pursue the conflict to the bitter end is harmful even if one is proved right, because it makes the enmity permanent. It is important to see the great man, that is, an impartial man whose authority is enough to settle the dispute peacefully or to decide it justly. On the other hand, in times of discord one should avoid ‘crossing the great water’, that is, beginning dangerous undertakings, for these need forces that are united and concentrated if they are to succeed. Conflict within paralyses the strength to overcome danger without.
Heaven and water move in opposite directions:the image of conflict.So the noble one, in all the business he undertakes,considers the beginning.
The image indicates that the causes of conflict lie in the opposing directions the two sides were already taking. Once such opposing tendencies exist, conflict follows of necessity. It follows that, to prevent conflict, everything must be carefully considered at the very beginning. When rights and duties are precisely laid down, or when, in a union of people, their inner aims go together, the cause of conflict is removed in advance.
Wilhelm placed the signs ○ and □ after certain lines (p. 334 f.). They mark the rulers of the hexagram. □ stands by the constituting ruler: the line that gives the hexagram its meaning, however high it stands and whatever its character. ○ stands by the governing ruler. It is always of good character and becomes ruler through the meaning of the time and its position, usually in the fifth place. Where a line is both, it carries ○.
If one does not make the matter endless,there will be a few words.Good fortune comes at the last.
A conflict is only just beginning. The best thing is to drop it now, especially if the other side is stronger. There may still be a brief exchange of words, yet in the end it turns out well.
While the conflict is still at its very beginning, it is best to let it drop. Especially with a stronger opponent, it is not advisable to let matters come to a fight. There may be a brief exchange of words, but in the end all goes well.
Unable to contend, he goes home and gives way.The people of his town, three hundred houses,stay free of guilt.
Against a superior opponent, retreat is no disgrace. Withdraw in good time instead of picking an unequal fight out of a false sense of honour. That spares you misfortune, and the people around you aren’t drawn into the dispute either.
In a struggle with a superior opponent, retreat is no disgrace. If one withdraws in good time, one avoids evil consequences. If, out of a false sense of honour, one were to provoke the unequal conflict, one would bring misfortune upon oneself. A wise yielding in such a case benefits all those around, who are in this way not drawn into the conflict.
Living on old virtue gives perseverance.Danger; good fortune comes at the last.Should you happen to serve a king,do not strive after works.
The line warns against the urge to take more and more for yourself. Only what has been honestly earned through past achievement lasts; it may be challenged, yet it cannot be lost, and despite the danger it turns out well in the end. If you work under someone senior to you, don’t look for glory of your own, and leave the credit to them.
This is a warning against the danger that comes from the urge to reach out for more. Only what has been honestly earned through earlier merit remains a lasting possession. Such a possession may well be contested at some point, but since it is truly one’s own, it cannot be taken away. For what belongs to one by virtue of the strength of one’s own nature cannot be lost. When one enters the service of someone higher, one can avoid conflict only by not striving after works for oneself. It may be enough that they are done. The honour may go to the other.
Unable to contend,he turns back and bows to his lot,changes, and finds peace in perseverance.Good fortune!
This is about wanting to improve your position through conflict, even though the other side is weaker and you could win. If your conscience isn’t clear about it, let it go. Turn back, drop the claim and change your attitude; then it turns out well, and you find peace.
At first one’s inner disposition is without peace. One does not feel at ease in one’s situation and would like to gain a better one through conflict. One is dealing with a weaker opponent and would therefore probably be able to do so (a difference from the nine in the second place), but one cannot contend, because one cannot find the inner justification and the good conscience for it. Therefore one turns back and submits to one’s fate. One changes one’s mind and so finds lasting peace in harmony with the eternal law. That brings good fortune.
Contending before him brings supreme good fortune.
An arbiter appears who is powerful and just, and who can see that right is done. Put your case trustingly before someone who judges fairly and carries weight. If you are in the right, it turns out very well.
Here the arbiter of the conflict is shown, who is powerful and just and has the strength to give weight to what is right. One may confidently hand a dispute over to him. If one is in the right, one attains great good fortune.
Though a leather belt be conferred on someone,before one morning is out it is wrested from him three times.
Anyone who fights a dispute to the bitter end may be proved right and even win an honour. Yet this good luck doesn’t last: it is challenged again and again, and the dispute never ends. Consider whether such a victory is worth the price, and try to bring it to an end sooner.
Here someone is depicted who has carried the conflict to the bitter end and been proved right. He receives a distinction. But his good luck does not last. It is challenged again and again, and endless conflict is the result.
Would you like to put your own question to the I Ching? Six throws of three coins, and the answer appears straight away.
Consult the I ChingTexts by Richard Wilhelm: I Ging. Das Buch der Wandlungen (first edition Jena 1924), translated into English by NUMEN COMPASS from the Diederichs edition, Munich 1996. Wilhelm’s German text is in the public domain. The section ‘What the hexagram says today’, the question for you and the short notes under the lines are our own reading. The I Ching is no substitute for medical, legal or psychological advice.