Kuí Opposition (Diversity) [hexagram 38]

Yang line Yin - controlling line Yang line Yin line Yang line Yang line
Separation

Fire over Lake
Fire Fire element

Water Mountain
Jiǎn [39] Obstruction; Hardship
Opposite
Wind/Wood Fire
Jiā rén [37] Home; Domesticity
Inverse
Water Fire
Jì jì [63] Satiated; Already fulfilled
Mutual

Lunar month: 12 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
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Show Key

The Descision

Opposition, but in small matters success.

In opposition there is fire which tends to rise, while marsh which tends to seep downwards. Two sisters living together with different aspirations. The jubilant clings to the brilliance; the weak advances to the middle place and resonates with the strong. This indicates ‘in small matters success’. Heaven and earth are distinct but together they accomplish the same ends. Male and female are distinct but together they can aspire to the same aims. There is diversity between all beings but they share common aims. Magnificent is the development of diversity and separation.

睽: . Kuí: xiǎo shì jí.

: 睽, , ; , ; , , ; . 睽, ; 睽, ; 睽, ; 睽矣哉! Tuàn zhuàn: Kuí, huǒ dòng ér shàng, zé dòng ér xià; èr nǚ tóng jū, qí zhì bù tóng xíng; shuō ér lì hū míng, róu jìn ér shàng xíng, dé zhòng ér yīng hū gāng; shì yǐ xiǎo shì jí. Tiān dìkuí, ér qí shì tóng yě; nán nǚ kuí, ér qí zhì tōng yě; wàn wùkuí, ér qí shì lèi yě; kuí zhī shí yòng dà yǐ zāi!

The Image

Fire above and Marsh below form ‘Diversity’. The wise accordingly accept diversity when aims are shared.

: , 睽; . Xiàng zhuàn: Shàng huǒ xià zé, kuí; jūn zǐ yǐ tóng ér yì.

young yang young yin young yang young yin young yang changing yang
I Ching transform
Fire Water
Wèi jì [64] Almost there; Not yet fulfilled
Line Change 1

Regrets disappear; the lost horse is not pursued as it will return of its own accord. When meeting bad people avoid making mistakes.

‘When meeting bad people’ – guard against misunderstanding.

: , 逐, 复; . Chū jiǔ: huǐ wáng, sàng mǎ wù zhú, zì fù; jiàn è rén wú jiù.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jiàn è rén, yǐ bì jiù yě.

young yang young yin young yang young yin changing yang young yang
I Ching transform
Fire Thunder
噬嗑 Shì kè [21] Gnawing; Eradication
Line Change 2

Meeting the boss in an alley. No blame.

‘Meeting the boss in an alley’ – keeping to the proper way.

: 巷, . Jiǔ èr: yù zhǔ yú xiàng, wú jiù.

: 巷, . Xiàng zhuàn: Yù zhǔ yú xiàng, wèi shī dào yě.

young yang young yin young yang changing yin young yang young yang
I Ching transform
Fire Heaven
Dà yǒu [14] Great Harvest; Profusion
Line Change 3

The car is forced backwards, injury and disfigurement. Not a great start but it will come to a good conclusion.

‘The car is forced backwards’ – due to the inappropriate position. ‘Not a good start but it will come to a good conclusion’ – aided by strength.

: 舆曳, 掣, 劓, . Liù sān: xiàn yú yè, qí niú chè, qí rén tiān qiě yì, wú chū yǒu zhōng.

: 舆曳, . , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jiàn yú yè, wèi bù dàng yě. wú chū yǒu zhōng, yù gāng yě.

young yang young yin changing yang young yin young yang young yang
I Ching transform
Mountain Lake
Sǔn [41] Decrease; Diminution
Line Change 4

Isolated amongst diverse opinions but finding someone of like mind. There is danger but no fault.

‘Finding someone of like mind. There is no fault’ – the common aim is fulfilled.

: 睽孤, , , . Jiǔ sì: kuí gū, yù yuán fū, jiāo fú, lì wú jiù.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jiāo fú wú jiù, zhì xíng yě.

young yang changing yin young yang young yin young yang young yang
I Ching transform
Heaven Lake
[10] Cautious advance; Pressing forward
Line Change 5

Regrets disappear. An associate clings close like chewing tender meat. With such help going forwards where is the mistake?

‘An associate clings close like chewing tender meat’ – a rewarding advancement.

: , 厥宗噬肤, . Liù wǔ: huǐ wáng, jué zōng shì fū, wǎng hé jiù.

: 厥宗噬肤, . Xiàng zhuàn: Jué zōng shì fū, wǎng yǒu qìng yě.

changing yang young yin young yang young yin young yang young yang
I Ching transform
Thunder Lake
Guī mèi [54] Union; Marrying
Line Change 6

Isolated amongst diverse opinions. Belief that a pig has been glimpsed covered in mud in a van full of demons. Initially prepare a weapon for defense but think better of it as it not an assailant but a close friend. When go forward, rain falls and soon all will be well.

‘When go forward, rain falls’ – all doubts disappear.

: 睽孤, 负涂, , 弧, 弧, 媾, . Shàng jiǔ: kuí gū, jiàn shǐ fù tú, zài guǐ yī chē, xiān zhāng zhī hú, hòu shuō zhī hú, fěi kòu hūn gòu, wǎng yù yù zé jí?

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Yù yù zhī jí, qún yí wáng yě.

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The full set of 64 English translations is available in our new book 'Book of Changes - Deciphered' .

See also