Hexagram 38 of 64
Opposition睽
Fire above, the lake below. The noble person keeps company with others and stays themselves.
- Upper
- Fire
- Lower
- Lake
- Order
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小事吉。
Judgment: In small matters, good fortune.
上火下澤，睽；君子以同而異。
Image: Fire above, the lake below. The noble person keeps company with others and stays themselves.
In plain words
The situation: People differ and there is distance between you.
What you can do: Agree on small things first, and do not expect a big reunion.
For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.
The six lines
- 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。Isolated in opposition, you see a pig covered in mud and a cart full of ghosts. First you draw your bow, then you lay it down. They are not raiders but suitors. Going on, you meet rain, and good fortune comes.In shortSuspicion makes friends look like enemies; lower your guard and the misunderstanding clears.
- 六五悔亡，厥宗噬膚，往何咎。Regret fades. Your kin bite through the skin. Where is the fault in going forward?In shortRegret fades; your own people are easy to reach, so go ahead.
- 九四睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厲无咎。Isolated in opposition, you meet a good man. You trust each other. Danger, but no fault.In shortFeeling alone, you meet a like-minded person; trust each other and you get through the risk.
- 六三見輿曳，其牛掣，其人天且劓，无初有終。The cart is dragged back, the ox held up, the driver branded and his nose cut. A bad beginning, a good end.In shortThe start is blocked and embarrassing, but if you keep going it ends well.
- 九二遇主于巷，无咎。Meeting the master in a lane. No fault.In shortYou meet a helpful person in an informal setting; no problem.
- 初九悔亡，喪馬勿逐，自復；見惡人无咎。Regret fades. The lost horse needs no chasing; it comes back on its own. Meeting bad people brings no fault.In shortRegret fades; do not chase what left, it returns; meeting difficult people is fine.
Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.