Hexagram 6: Conflict (訟 Sòng) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 6 (訟 Conflict)?

I Ching Hexagram 6, 訟 (Sòng), represents Conflict. It is formed by Heaven (乾 Qián) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Conflict. You are sincere and are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great man. It does not further o...'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 6 mean?

The Image states: 'Heaven and water go their opposite ways: the image of Conflict. Thus in all his transactions the superior man carefully considers the beginning.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 6 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how Conflict manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 6 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 6 (Conflict) follows Hexagram 5 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

訟

Sòng — Hexagram 6

Conflict

Heaven (乾 Qián) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 6, 訟 (Sòng), represents Conflict. Formed by Heaven (乾 Qián) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below, this hexagram teaches about conflict. The core message: Conflict. You are sincere and are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great man. It does not further o.

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 6 is formed by Heaven (乾 Qián) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) 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

Conflict. You are sincere and are being obstructed. A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune. Going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great man. It does not further one to cross the great water.

— I Ching, Conflict

The Image

Heaven and water go their opposite ways: the image of Conflict. Thus in all his transactions the superior man carefully considers the beginning.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: If one does not perpetuate the affair, there is a little gossip. In the end, good fortune comes.

Line 2: Line 2: One cannot engage in conflict; one returns home and flees. The people of his city, three hundred households, remain free of guilt.

Line 3: Line 3: To nourish oneself on ancient virtue induces perseverance. Danger. In the end, good fortune comes. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works.

Line 4: Line 4: One cannot engage in conflict. One turns back and submits to fate, changes one's attitude, and finds peace in perseverance. Good fortune.

Line 5: Line 5: To contend before him brings supreme good fortune.

Line 6: Line 6: Even if by chance a leather belt is bestowed on one, by the end of a morning it will have been snatched away three times.

Modern Application

Hexagram 6 warns against the escalation of disputes. Heaven and Water move in opposite directions — the natural order of things contains conflict, but wisdom lies in de-escalation. The hexagram advises stopping halfway: pressing a conflict to its conclusion brings misfortune regardless of who is 'right.' The superior person anticipates conflict by careful planning at the beginning. In modern contexts, this applies to legal disputes, workplace conflicts, and relationship arguments. The teaching is not to avoid all disagreement but to resolve it before positions harden beyond repair.

Related Guides

Chinese Philosophy Complete Guide

All major schools of Chinese thought

Taoism for Beginners

A practical guide to Taoist philosophy

Confucianism for Beginners

A practical guide to Confucian philosophy

Buddhism for Beginners

A practical guide to Buddhist philosophy

Stoicism for Beginners

A practical guide to start practicing Stoicism