38. Opposition

Judgment

睽：小事吉。

In small matters, good fortune. In times of divergence, do small things and look for agreement in details.

Image

上火下泽，睽；君子以同而异。

Above, fire; below, the lake: the image of opposition. Amid all fellowship the noble person retains their individuality.

Lines

1. Line 1, yang (nine)

   初九：悔亡，丧马勿逐，自复；见恶人无咎。

   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. Don't force or confront; leave room to manoeuvre.

2. Line 2, yang (nine)

   九二：遇主于巷，无咎。

   One meets his lord in a narrow street. No blame. Informal channels can resolve differences.

3. Line 3, yin (six)

   六三：见舆曳，其牛掣，其人天且劓，无初有终。

   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. A blocked start can still turn.

4. Line 4, yang (nine)

   九四：睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厉无咎。

   Isolated through opposition, one meets a like-minded man with whom one can associate in good faith. Despite the danger, no blame. Find a sincere ally in isolation.

5. Line 5, yin (six)

   六五：悔亡，厥宗噬肤，往何咎。

   Remorse disappears. The companion bites his way through the wrappings. If one goes to him, how could it be a mistake? The time to repair the relationship is ripe.

6. Line 6, yang (nine)

   上九：睽孤，见豕负涂，载鬼一车，先张之弧，后说之弧，匪寇婚媾，往遇雨则吉。

   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 lays it aside. He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time. As one goes, rain falls; then good fortune comes. Once suspicion is cleared, the enemy can become a partner.

In the enterprise

The hexagram of divergence, cross-cultural difference and clearing misunderstanding: Europe–China collaboration, joint-venture conflicts, post-merger cultural integration, diverse teams. 'Retain individuality amid fellowship': agree on values, accept differences in style. The top line is a classic parable of misperception.

Psychological lens

Resonates with the fundamental attribution error and hostile attribution bias ('a wagon full of devils'); line 2 shows the role of informal communication in conflict mediation.

Related hexagrams

Situations in the library that use this hexagram

• A competitor's smear campaign Enterprise, Line 1, yang (nine)
• Localisation vs. global standardisation Enterprise, Judgment
• Misunderstandings in a cross-cultural team Enterprise, Line 2, yang (nine)
• Channel conflict Enterprise, Line 3, yin (six)
• Cross-cultural misunderstandings escalating Enterprise, Line 6, yang (nine)
• Sibling disputes over succession Enterprise, Line 5, yin (six)
• Loneliness Individuals, Line 4, yang (nine)
• A cross-cultural relationship Individuals, Judgment
• A crisis of trust Individuals, Line 6, yang (nine)
• Conflict between the two families Individuals, Line 5, yin (six)
• Talking with a teenager Individuals, Line 2, yang (nine)
• Friends drifting apart Individuals, Line 1, yang (nine)
• Family tension over money Individuals, Line 3, yin (six)
• Loneliness while studying abroad Individuals, Line 4, yang (nine)
• Integrating vs. keeping your identity Individuals, Judgment
• Misunderstandings in international exchange Individuals, Line 6, yang (nine)

Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.