 | Conflict | |
| Upper Trigram: | Ch'ien, Creative Principle, Heaven | |
| Lower Trigram: | K'an, the Abyss, Water, Danger | |
| Governing Ruler: | Nine in the fifth place | |
The Image
The trigram for heaven and that for water, moving away from each other; these form Sung. The superior man, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about his first steps.
Miscellaneous Signs
In Sung we seek in vain a friendly glance.
The Judgement
Conflict: Though there is sincerity in the subject's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the bitter end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
Commentary
The upper trigram of Sung represents strength, the lower peril. Strength and peril give the idea of conflict.
'Though there is sincerity in the subject's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune': a strong line has come and taken hold of the central place in the lower trigram.
'If he must prosecute the contention to the bitter end, there will be evil': contention is not to be carried on to extremity.
'It will be advantageous to meet with the great man': what he sets a value on is the due mean and the correct place.
'It will not be advantageous to cross the great stream': one attempting to do so would find himself in an abyss.
The upper trigram of Sung represents strength, the lower peril. Strength and peril give the idea of conflict.
'Though there is sincerity in the subject's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune': a strong line has come and taken hold of the central place in the lower trigram.
'If he must prosecute the contention to the bitter end, there will be evil': contention is not to be carried on to extremity.
'It will be advantageous to meet with the great man': what he sets a value on is the due mean and the correct place.
'It will not be advantageous to cross the great stream': one attempting to do so would find himself in an abyss.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
This line shows the subject not perpetuating the matter about which the contention is. He will suffer the small injury of being spoken against, but the end will be fortunate.
'He does not perpetuate the matter about which the contention is': contention should not be prolonged. Although 'he may suffer the small injury of being spoken against', his argument is clear.
Nine in the second placeShowing its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed where the inhabitants of his city are only three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.
'He is unequal to the contention; he retires and keeps concealed, stealthily withdrawing from it': for him from his lower place to contend with the stronger one above, would be to invite calamity, as if he brought it with his hand to himself.
Six in the third placeThe subject keeping in the old place assigned for his support, and firmly correct. Perilous as the position is, there will be good fortune in the end. Should he perchance engage in the king's business, he will not claim the merit of achievement.
'He confines himself to the support assigned to him of old': thus following those above him, he will have good fortune.
Nine in the fourth placeShowing its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to ordinances, changes his wish to contend, and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.
'He returns to ordinances, changes his wish to contend, and rests in being firm and correct': he does not fail.
Nine in the fifth placeShowing its subject contending ; and with great good fortune!
'He contends; and with great fortune': this is shown by his holding the due mean and being in the correct place.
Top-most nineShowing how the subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him by the ruler; and trice it shall be taken from him in a morning.
He receives the robe through his contention; but still he is not deserving of respect.
 1. Ch'ien Creative Principle |  2. K'un Passive Principle |  3. Chun Initial Difficulties |  4. Meng Youthful Inexperience |  5. Hsü Delay | 6. Sung Conflict |  7. Shih The Army |  8. Pi Seeking Unity |  9. Hsiao Ch'u Minor Restraint |  10. Lü Treading carefully |  11. T'ai Peace |  12. P'i Stagnation |  13. T'ung Jen Companionship |  14. Ta Yu Great Possessions |  15. Ch'ien Modesty |  16. Yü Enthusiasm |  17. Sui Allegiance |  18. Ku Arresting Decay |  19. Lin Approaching |  20. Kuan Contemplation |  21. Shih Ho Biting through |  22. Pi Grace |  23. Po Disintegration |  24. Fu The Turning Point |  25. Wu Wang Innocence |  26. Ta Ch'u Restraining Force |  27. I Nourishment |  28. Ta Kuo Excess |  29. K'an The Abyss |  30. Li Clinging Brightness |  31. Hsieh Influence |  32. Heng Endurance |  33. Tun Withdrawal |  34. Ta Chuang Strength of Greatness |  35. Chin Progress |  36. Ming I Sinking Light |  37. Chia Jen The Family |  38. K'uei Opposition |  39. Chien Obstacles |  40. Hsieh Deliverance |  41. Sun Decrease |  42. I Increase |  43. Kuai Resolution |  44. Kou Coming on |  45. Ts'ui Congregation |  46. Sheng Moving upward |  47. K'un Exhaustion |  48. Ching The Well |  49. Ko Revolution |  50. Ting The Cauldron |  51. Chen Thunderclap |  52. Ken Inaction |  53. Chien Gradual Progress |  54. Kuei Mei Marriageable Maiden |  55. Feng Abundance |  56. Lü The Wanderer |  57. Sun Gentle Penetration |  58. Tui Joy |  59. Huan Dispersal |  60. Chien Restraint |  61. Cung Fu Inner Truth |  62. Hsiao Kuo Small Excess |  63. Chi Chi Completion and After |  64. Wei Chi Before Completion |