Hexagram 6
天水讼
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.
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)
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.