Song
Judgment
訟 有孚窒惕 中吉終凶 利見大人 不利涉大川
There is something to be gained from lawsuits, but you must be fearful and cautious; the middle will be good, but the end will be bad. It would be beneficial to meet great people. It would not be beneficial to cross a large river.
Interpretation
The hexagram "訟" (Song) is the sixth hexagram in the I Ching, also known as "The Book of Changes." Here is an explanation in English:
Hexagram Song (Conflict)
有孚 (You Fu): Sincerity, faith
窒惕 (Zhi Ti): Obstruction, vigilance
中吉 (Zhong Ji): Central or moderate good fortune
終凶 (Zhong Xiong): In the end, misfortune
利見大人 (Li Jian Da Ren): Advantageous to see the great person
不利涉大川 (Bu Li She Da Chuan): Not advantageous to cross the great river
Interpretation: Hexagram Song represents conflict and disputes. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining sincerity and faith in resolving conflicts. While vigilance and awareness are necessary to navigate obstacles, the hexagram suggests that moderate or central good fortune can be achieved initially. However, if conflicts are not resolved properly, they can ultimately lead to misfortune. Seeking guidance from a wise and capable person is advantageous in resolving disputes. It is not favorable to undertake significant actions or challenges, such as crossing a great river, during times of conflict.
This hexagram teaches that conflicts should be approached with sincerity and vigilance, seeking wise counsel to achieve resolution. It also warns against taking on major challenges without first resolving existing disputes.
初六 不永所事,小有言,終吉
Initial Six: Do not last in the tasks, a small matter will be spoken, in the end, good fortune.
'Sa' refers to a lawsuit. 'Bul-yeong-so-sa' means not prolonging the lawsuit and stopping it midway. 'Eon' borrows the character 'geon' and signifies a mistake, fault, or error. A town leader, realizing that continuing the lawsuit will not be beneficial, decides to withdraw it. Although there is a small fault, there is ultimately something to be gained, leading to a favorable outcome. A person who receives this line in divination is in a situation where they do not prolong a lawsuit and choose to stop it. If there is no chance of winning, one must abandon it. Though there may be minor faults, the matter inquired about in divination will ultimately be auspicious.
九二 不克訟,歸而逋,其邑人三百戶,无眚.
Nine Second: Do not argue, return and withdraw, three hundred households of the town, no blame.
The character "Field" means to overcome or win, and "Extreme Song" implies a current victory or success. "Packing unit" means to escape, and "xxxxx" refers to disaster. In this hexagram, the people of Sanbaekho sue the local ruler, Wangso. When the ruler loses the lawsuit, he escapes, leaving the town, thus saving the people from disaster. The person drawing this hexagram is currently in a situation where someone is escaping after losing a case, leading to the avoidance of disaster. Success is attainable, and the person and those around them will avoid harm. The work they are asking about will succeed.
六三 食舊德,貞厲,終吉,或從王事,无成
Six Third: Eat old virtue, persistence brings danger, in the end, good fortune, perhaps participating in royal affairs, no success.
The person is caught in the situation of maintaining past virtues and following the king’s path but failing to achieve success. It is advised not to boast of past achievements and to remain humble, as this will bring good results in the end. The situation appears to be in a phase of struggle, but patience is key.
九四 不克訟,復卽命渝,安貞吉
Nine Fourth: Do not argue, return and change commands, peace and persistence bring good fortune.
The term "Geuk" means to overcome, and "Bok" means to return. "Myeong" refers to the king’s command, and "Yoo" means to change. The hexagram speaks of a person who did not win the lawsuit but is safe, and the king’s order has been changed. The person is in a situation where they lost the lawsuit but are still safe. In the future, there will be a shift in the circumstances, and the situation will improve. The task will be prosperous.
九五 訟,元吉
Nine Fifth: Arguing, great fortune.
The town leader wins a major lawsuit by following the king’s new decree. The task at hand will be greatly auspicious, and all your endeavors will come to fruition in the future.
上九 或錫之鞶帶,終朝三褫之
Top Nine: Perhaps granted a belt, after three consecutive dismissals in one morning.
The town leader wins a lawsuit and receives a belt from the king, only for it to be stripped thrice in a day amid doubts of merit. The task at hand will see fleeting joy and honor turn to illusion, like bubbles that burst, leaving nothing tangible.