Hexagram 6 of 64 · Heaven ☰ over Water ☵
Conflict
Sòng
A conflict you can survive by meeting halfway — and lose by insisting on winning.
The Judgment
Conflict: you are sincere and being obstructed. Cautious halting halfway brings good fortune; going through to the end brings misfortune. It furthers one to see the great person. It does not further one to cross the great water.
The Image
Heaven moves upward, water moves downward — two forces going opposite ways. The wise person considers the beginning of any undertaking carefully, because most conflicts are born in the first careless step.
Hexagram 6 Meaning
You are in a dispute, and the hexagram is unusually direct: you may be in the right, and you will still lose if you fight to the bitter end. The counsel is to stop halfway — settle, mediate, accept a partial outcome. Seek an impartial senior figure (the great person) rather than an ally who will only agree with you. And do not start anything big while the conflict is live; the great water is not for crossing today.
Conflict in Love
An argument, a stand-off, a relationship where both people are moving in opposite directions like heaven and water. Being right is not the point. The hexagram favours the one who says “let’s stop here” before either of you says the unforgivable thing. Consider a third party — a counsellor, a trusted friend of both. If the conflict is with an ex, do not escalate; a clean partial resolution beats a total victory that costs you your peace.
Conflict in Career & Money
A workplace dispute, a contract disagreement, possibly a legal matter. Document everything, but aim for settlement rather than triumph. Pursuing it to the end — the tribunal, the public showdown — brings misfortune even if you win. Get the opinion of someone senior and neutral. Do not launch new ventures or make big commitments while this is unresolved.
What to Do
Stop at the halfway point. Settle for the fair outcome rather than the full one. Involve someone impartial. Look honestly at how this began — most of the lesson is in the first step you took.
Conflict as a Yes or No
no
No — the path is contested, and pressing forward brings loss even if you are in the right; compromise instead.
The Trigrams
Above: Heaven (乾 Qián) — the creative — strength, initiative, the father.
Below: Water (坎 Kǎn) — the abysmal — danger, depth, the middle son.
The Six Lines of Conflict
Read when the line is moving (a 6 or 9 in the cast). Bottom line first.
- 1
Line 1 · yin
Do not perpetuate the affair: drop the dispute at once — a little gossip, then good fortune.
- 2
Line 2 · yang
One cannot engage in conflict, retreat home: you are outmatched — withdraw and no harm comes to you or yours.
- 3
Line 3 · yin
Nourish yourself on ancient virtue: rely on what you have already earned rather than contest for more — it ends well.
- 4
Line 4 · yang
One cannot engage in conflict, turn back and submit to fate: change your attitude and find peace — good fortune.
- 5
Line 5 · yang
To contend before the great person brings supreme good fortune: a fair judge decides in your favour.
- 6
Line 6 · yang
Even if awarded a belt of honour, it is snatched away three times: winning by force brings a victory no one respects.
Will Conflict Appear in Your Cast?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does hexagram 6, Conflict, mean?
You are in a dispute, and the hexagram is unusually direct: you may be in the right, and you will still lose if you fight to the bitter end. The counsel is to stop halfway — settle, mediate, accept a partial outcome. Seek an impartial senior figure (the great person) rather than an ally who will only agree with you. And do not start anything big while the conflict is live; the great water is not for crossing today.
What does Conflict mean in love?
An argument, a stand-off, a relationship where both people are moving in opposite directions like heaven and water. Being right is not the point. The hexagram favours the one who says “let’s stop here” before either of you says the unforgivable thing. Consider a third party — a counsellor, a trusted friend of both. If the conflict is with an ex, do not escalate; a clean partial resolution beats a total victory that costs you your peace.
What does Conflict mean for career and money?
A workplace dispute, a contract disagreement, possibly a legal matter. Document everything, but aim for settlement rather than triumph. Pursuing it to the end — the tribunal, the public showdown — brings misfortune even if you win. Get the opinion of someone senior and neutral. Do not launch new ventures or make big commitments while this is unresolved.
Is hexagram 6 a yes or a no?
Conflict answers "no". No — the path is contested, and pressing forward brings loss even if you are in the right; compromise instead.
Previous hexagram
5. Waiting
patience
Next hexagram
7. The Army
discipline
Last updated: August 30, 2026
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