Hexagram 6
Litigation, conflict, contradiction
The Song hexagram teaches us that conflict is a normal part of life, but it is not the purpose. A wise person should try their best to avoid litigation, seek fair mediation as a last resort, and know how to retreat when appropriate. Because in the end of any fight, there is no real winner.
Trigram Structure
䷅, Qian above, Kan below
Palace：離
Key Themes
Litigation, conflict, contradiction
The Song hexagram teaches us that conflict is a normal part of life, but it is not the purpose. A wise person should try their best to avoid litigation, seek fair mediation as a last resort, and know how to retreat when appropriate. Because in the end of any fight, there is no real winner.
Song: Fu, suffocation, good luck, bad luck in the end. It's good to meet the adults, but it's not good to cross the river.
Sky and river, moving in opposite directions.
Court summons, contracts, debate scripts, gavel.
The Song hexagram teaches us that conflict is a normal part of life, but it is not the purpose. A wise person should try their best to avoid litigation, seek fair mediation as a last resort, and know how to retreat when appropriate. Because in the end of any fight, there is no real winner.
If you don't do things forever, if you have small words, it will be good in the end.
Guidance
When disputes first arise, stop them in time to avoid future trouble.
Modern Insight
This is the golden rule for handling conflicts: extinguish them at the bud stage. Do not prolong the fight; do not persist for the sake of face. Resolve quickly, even if it invites some idle gossip like "why did you compromise so quickly," but in the long run, you are the biggest winner.
If you can't overcome the lawsuit, you will end up being stubborn. There are three hundred households in the town, and there is no one.
Guidance
When strength is inferior, choose to retreat, return home to rest, and you can remain safe.
Modern Insight
To persist when you know it's impossible is foolish. When you find that the other party's strength far exceeds yours, or that reason is not on your side, the wisest choice is to "retreat." This is not cowardice, but the wisdom of cutting losses. Preserving yourself and your team is far more important than fighting a battle you are bound to lose.
Eat the old virtues, be chaste and firm, and ultimately have good luck. Or if you work for the king, there will be no success.
Guidance
Keep to your place, do not contend with others; though there may be danger, it will ultimately be auspicious.
Modern Insight
You are in a position where it is easy to get involved in disputes. The best strategy is to keep a low profile and not participate in any new conflicts. Guard your own territory, do not expand, do not actively seek trouble. Keep to your place, and you can preserve yourself in the turmoil.
If you can't overcome the lawsuit, your life will be restored. Chongqing will be chaste and lucky.
Guidance
Having lost in litigation, return to reason, maintain the right path, and you can turn danger into safety.
Modern Insight
This is the key to turning defeat into victory! When you realize you are in the wrong or the situation is unfavorable, decisively abandon the fight and return to reason. Acknowledge your problems, seek reconciliation—this timely transformation will free you from the dangerous situation and bring fortune.
Litigation, Yuanji.
Guidance
Seek a fair arbitrator; you can achieve victory, great fortune.
Modern Insight
This is the only greatly auspicious line in the Song hexagram. It represents that you have encountered the fairest arbitrator (the great person), and truth is completely on your side. In this situation, the case will surely be won, and justice will be served. This is acting on behalf of heaven, so it is greatly auspicious.
Or the tin belt will be worn out three times in the end.
Guidance
Even if you gain a brief victory, you will quickly lose it; the gain does not compensate for the loss.
Modern Insight
This is the sternest warning of the Song hexagram. Victory achieved through power or violence is completely untenable. What you win today, you will lose tomorrow, and it will be repeatedly taken away. Victory achieved not through the right path but through brute force cannot last, and will ultimately end in nothing.
