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The Book of Changes/I ching: Opposition

Time:2010-05-19    Author:calligraphy artist    Source:authorship    Tag:hexagram(37)

This hexagram of I Ching/the Book of Changes is composed of the trigram Li above, i. e. , flame, which burns upward, and Tui below, i. e. , the lake, which seeps downward. These two movements are in direct contrast. Furthermore, Li is the second daughter and Tui the youngest daughter, and although they live in the same house they belong to different men; hence their wills are not the same but are divergently directed. Following is the original text of I Ching/the Book of Changes.

The Hexagram
K'uei / Opposition
Above LI THE CLINGING, FLAME
Below TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE

The Judgment
OPPOSITION. In small matters, good fortune.

The Image
Above, fire; below. The lake.
The image of OPPOSITION.
Thus amid all fellowship
The superior man retains his individuality.

Lower line
Nine at the beginning means: 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.

Second line
Nine in the second place means: One meets his lord in a narrow street.
No blame.

Third line
Six in the third place means: 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.

Fourth line
Nine in the fourth place means: Isolated through opposition, One meets a like-minded man With whom one can associate in good faith. Despite the danger, no blame.

Fifth line
Six in the fifth place means: Remorse disappears. The companion bites his way through the wrappings. If one goes to him, How could it be a mistake?

Upper line
Nine at the top means: Isolated through opposition, One sees one's companion as a pig covered with dirt, As a wagon full of devils. First one draws a bow against him, then one lays the bow aside. He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time. As one goes, rain falls; then good fortune comes.

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