I-Ching Hexagram 38
睽 Opposition
Also known as Estrangement
Two elements that naturally diverge. The hexagram concerns estrangement — between friends, within a family, inside oneself.
opposition · estrangement · misunderstanding
The Story
Two sisters had not spoken for ten years. The younger sent a letter; the elder did not open it. A matchmaker arranged a chance meeting at a market; the younger turned away. On a festival day they were seated at the same table by an oblivious aunt. Neither could leave without scandal. They ate in silence. The younger refilled the elder's cup. The elder, after a long pause, did the same. No word was said about the quarrel. Walking home, they walked together. Some oppositions cannot be resolved by argument; a small gesture, correctly timed, does what ten years of correspondence cannot.
The Judgment
In small matters, good fortune.
The Image
Above, fire; below, the lake: the image of opposition. Thus amid all fellowship the superior person retains their individuality.
Interpretation
Two elements that naturally diverge. The hexagram concerns estrangement — between friends, within a family, inside oneself. In great matters, nothing can be done; in small, much can. Preserve your own integrity, and small gestures of goodwill may yet bridge the gap.
Trigrams
The Six Lines
- First (Bottom) 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. Do not chase what leaves; do not react to provocation.
- Second One meets his lord in a narrow street. No blame. An unplanned, informal encounter that eases the opposition.
- Third 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. Humiliating start, bearable finish if one persists.
- Fourth Isolated through opposition, one meets a like-minded person with whom one can associate in good faith. Despite the danger, no blame. A genuine ally found in isolation — trust carefully.
- Fifth Remorse disappears. The companion bites his way through the wrappings. If one goes to him, how could it be a mistake? Reach past the appearances to the real person; the bond is recoverable.
- Sixth (Top) Isolated through opposition, one sees one's companion as a pig covered with dirt, as a wagon full of devils. First one draws the bow against him, then lays it aside. He is not a robber, he will woo at the right time. As one goes, rain falls; then good fortune comes. Paranoid isolation dissolves when one sees clearly; rain ends the drought.