ChineseStudy

6. Song | Conflict

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English translation

Song / Conflict: Sincere intent is present and caution is required. The middle condition is favorable, but the end is dangerous; consult the great and avoid great undertakings like crossing a wide river.

This is the judgment of Song (Conflict), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “meeting a great person” points to guidance from someone of virtue and authority; “crossing the great river” suggests undertaking a difficult but meaningful passage; “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

First Six: not prolonging the matter, there are small words of blame, auspicious in the end.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Second Nine: Do not force a lawsuit. Return, and the three hundred households are kept from harm; nothing goes wrong.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

Third Six: Use inherited virtue, but hold firm with vigilance, for danger is present. The end is fortunate, though service at court may yield no accomplishment.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “danger” calls for vigilance.

Fourth Nine: unable to carry on the contention, returning to the command and changing course. resting in constancy. auspicious.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Fifth Nine: In this place, conflict is fundamentally auspicious.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Top Nine: You may be awarded a ceremonial belt, but it can be removed again, even repeatedly in a single day.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

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