Hexagram 6
天水讼
Conflict
Hexagram 6, Song, is the I Ching's treatise on conflict.
Upper Trigram
☰
乾 (金)
Lower Trigram
☵
坎 (水)
Palace
离 Palace
Shi / Ying Lines
Shi: Line 4 · Ying: Line 1
The 乾 trigram (金) sits above the 坎 trigram (水), forming 天水讼. This hexagram belongs to the 离 Palace.
Judgment (卦辞)
Conflict. You are sincere and are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune.
Judgment text follows the Wilhelm–Baynes translation (The I Ching or Book of Changes, Princeton University Press), quoted for commentary.
Image (象辞)
Heaven and water go their opposite ways: the image of Conflict. Thus the superior man carefully considers the beginning.
Line Texts (爻辞)
If one does not perpetuate the affair, little gossip. In the end good fortune. (不永所事，小有言，终吉)
One cannot engage in conflict; one returns home and gives way. (不克讼，归而逋)
To nourish oneself on ancient virtue induces perseverance. (食旧德，贞厉，终吉)
One cannot engage in conflict. One turns back and submits. (不克讼，复即命，渝安贞，吉)
To contend before him brings supreme good fortune. (讼，元吉)
Even if a leathern belt is bestowed, by morning it is snatched away. (或锡之鞶带，终朝三褫之)
Hexagram 6 in Love & Relationships
Relationships: Being right can be the most expensive victory you'll ever win.
Hexagram 6 in Career & Decisions
Workplace conflict: Don't escalate unless necessary. Most conflicts self-resolve.
Hexagram 6 as a yes / no answer
Leans no
The hexagram's core image counsels restraint — forcing now works against you.
The I Ching reads situations, not fixed outcomes — your reading can weigh the moving lines with this leaning.
In-Depth Analysis[+]
Hexagram 6, Song, is the I Ching's treatise on conflict. Heaven moves upward, Water flows downward - opposite directions create conflict. Even when you're right, conflict is destructive. 'Going through to the end brings misfortune.' Even winning the lawsuit loses the relationship. Line 2: one person withdraws and the entire community remains unaffected. Line 6: victory's 'leathern belt' is snatched away three times in one morning. Most disputes are better resolved through letting go.
Historical Stories[+]
The Empty Boat parable: most conflicts are collisions with empty boats - others' unexamined fears.
Lin Xiangru consistently yielded to General Lian Po, knowing the state needed them united.
Practical Applications[+]
Legal disputes: Try mediation first. Legal costs often exceed gains.
Workplace conflict: Don't escalate unless necessary. Most conflicts self-resolve.
Relationships: Being right can be the most expensive victory you'll ever win.
Classical Sources for Hexagram 6
增删卜易 (Adding and Removing — A Divination Primer)清 (Qing Dynasty, 1644–1912)
The core case-study methodology, the Six-Relation classification system, and the framework for analyzing changing lines (Dong Yao).
Related Hexagrams
Learn More
Wonder how Hexagram 6 applies to your situation?
Ask the I Ching about Hexagram 6