Opposition

Upper trigram: Fire (illuminating, clinging) · Lower trigram: Lake (joyous, sharing)

Judgment

Fire moves upward, the lake sinks downward: two natures go in opposite directions. This hexagram says that even within opposition and separation, good results can come in small matters. Noticing similarity after parting can be the start of a new closeness. Being different is not a barrier but a chance to complete one another.

Image

Fire above, the lake below: opposition. The noble-minded find similarities while keeping their differences.

Meaning of the six lines (bottom to top)

1. 1Line 1 (from the bottom)Regret vanishes; the lost horse returns by itself. Even meeting those who seem ill does no harm; there is no need to chase after it.
2. 2Line 2 (from the bottom)Meeting the lord in a narrow lane: no error. An unexpected encounter can create a natural closeness.
3. 3Line 3 (from the bottom)The wagon is dragged back, the ox halted; the person is marked at hair and nose. A hard beginning, yet the end can be good.
4. 4Line 4 (from the bottom)Isolated in opposition; yet meeting a like-minded person. Mutual trust keeps danger from becoming error.
5. 5Line 5 (from the bottom)Regret vanishes. A companion draws near by biting through the skin; going ahead causes less trouble than feared.
6. 6Line 6 (from the bottom)Isolation in opposition: seeing a pig covered in mud, a cart full of ghosts. The bow is drawn then laid down; when rain comes, suspicions dissolve.