Hexagram 38 · 火泽睽

Opposition

Fire · Gen palace

Divergence; small agreements with divided aims.

Meaning

Fire above the lake: two forces moving apart. Opposition concerns division and divergence of viewpoint or interest.

Decision Framework

Find the small common ground; do not force unity.

Decision Guidance

Opposition is the reading of genuine divergence. Unlike Conflict, which is active, this hexagram describes separation: parties who simply see things differently and are not going to be talked into agreement.

The classical advice is pragmatic rather than idealistic. Large-scale unity is unlikely in this phase, so work at the scale that remains available—small agreements, limited cooperation, practical arrangements. The hexagram treats this as workable rather than fatal, and warns only against the resentment that comes from insisting others must see the world your way.

Judgment — Classical Text

小事吉。

EN In small matters, good fortune.

The Six Lines — Classical Text

初九：悔亡，丧马勿逐，自复。
EN Initial nine: regret vanishes; the horse is lost — do not chase it, it returns by itself. See the evil one and avoid blame.
九二：遇主于巷，无咎。
EN Nine in the second: meeting the master in a lane — no blame.
六三：见舆曳，其牛掣。
EN Six in the third: the cart dragged back, the ox checked, the driver's head shaved and nose cut off — a bad beginning, a good end.
九四：睽孤，遇元夫，交孚。
EN Nine in the fourth: separated and alone, meeting a good man — sincerity exchanged: danger, but no blame.
六五：悔亡，厥宗噬肤。
EN Six in the fifth: regret vanishes; his clan bites through the flesh — going brings blame.
上九：睽孤，见豕负涂，载鬼一车。
EN Topmost nine: separated and alone, seeing a pig smeared with mud and a cartload of ghosts — first doubt, then union; going brings good fortune.

Keywords

I Ching hexagram 38, Opposition hexagram, Kui hexagram meaning, hexagram for disagreement