Opposition
Fire (離 Lí) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 38, 睽 (Kuí), represents Opposition. Formed by Fire (離 Lí) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below, this hexagram teaches about opposition. The core message: Opposition. In small matters, good fortune..
Key Takeaways- Hexagram 38 is formed by Fire (離 Lí) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
- The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
- The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
- The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
- This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving
The Judgment
— I Ching, OppositionOpposition. In small matters, good fortune.
The Image
— I Ching, ImageAbove, fire; below, the lake: the image of Opposition. Thus amid all fellowship the superior man retains his individuality.
The Six Lines
Line 1: Line 1: Remorse disappears. If you lose your horse, do not run after it; it will come back of its own accord. When you see evil people, guard yourself against mistakes.
Line 2: Line 2: One meets his lord in a narrow street. No blame.
Line 3: Line 3: One sees the wagon dragged back, the oxen halted, a man's hair and nose cut off. Not a good beginning, but a good end.
Line 4: Line 4: Isolated through opposition, one meets a like-minded man with whom one can associate in good faith. Despite the danger, no blame.
Line 5: Line 5: Remorse disappears. The companion bites his way through the wrappings. What mistake is there in going to him?
Line 6: Line 6: Isolated through opposition, one sees one's companion as a pig covered with dirt, as a wagon full of devils. First one draws a bow against him, then one lays the bow aside. He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time. As one goes, rain falls; then good fortune comes.
Modern Application
Hexagram 38 describes the tension between unity and difference. Fire above, Lake below — fire rises, water sinks; they move in opposite directions. Opposition is natural and inevitable. But the hexagram teaches that difference need not mean conflict. The wise person maintains individuality while coexisting with others. The image of meeting a like-minded companion in a narrow street despite isolation speaks to the unexpected alliances that opposition can produce. In modern terms, Opposition applies to diversity in teams, political disagreement, creative tension, and the art of finding common ground without erasing legitimate differences.
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