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I Ching hexagram 38, Kui
Hexagram 38

Kui

Opposing Views

Classical name: Khwei

When you receive Hexagram 38, Kui, the I Ching turns your attention to opposing views. Opposition. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.

The Judgment

Opposition. In small matters there will still be good success.

Classical (Legge)Khwei indicates that, (notwithstanding the condition of things which it denotes), in small matters there will (still) be good success.

The Image

Fire above the marsh. The centered one, where there is general agreement, yet admits diversity.

Classical (Legge)(The trigrams representing) fire above and a marsh below form Khwei. The superior man, in accordance with this, where there is a general agreement, yet admits diversity.

The Changing Lines

Nine at the beginning

All occasion for regret has disappeared. He has lost his horses. Let him not seek them. They will return of themselves. When he meets with difficult people, he will not err in dealing with them.

Classical (Legge)All occasion for repentance (in his circumstances) has disappeared. He has lost his horses, but let him not seek for them; — they will return of themselves. When he meets with bad men, he will not err (in communicating with them).

Nine in the second place

He meets his lord in a byway. No error.

Classical (Legge)He happens to meet his lord in a by-way. There will be no error.

Six in the third place

He sees his wagon dragged back, the oxen pushed back, and he himself subjected to the shaving of his head and the cutting off of his nose. A harsh beginning, but there will be a good end.

Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line seems to) see his waggon dragged back, while the oxen are pushed back, and he is himself subjected to the shaving of his head and the cutting off of his nose. Not a good beginning, but there will be a good end.

Nine in the fourth place

Isolated, yet he meets the one who understands him. They blend their sincere desires together. The position is perilous, yet there will be no error.

Classical (Legge)He is (isolated from others, but) meets that individual (who understands him). They blend their sincere desires together, and the position, though one of peril, will be without error.

Six in the fifth place

All occasion for regret disappears. His companion approaches, ready to join as teeth meeting skin. If he goes forward, what error can there be?

Classical (Legge)All occasion for repentance disappears. (The subject of this line sees) his relative approaching, (so that, if he bite,) he will penetrate the skin. If he go forward, what error can there be?

Nine at the top

Isolated, he sees a pig bearing a load of mire on its back, and a wagon full of ghosts. He first bends his bow against it, then unbends it, finding the figure is no assailant but a close companion. Going forward, he shall meet with gentle rain. Good fortune.

Classical (Legge)He is (isolated from others, and thinks he sees a) pig bearing on its back a load of mire, and a waggon full of ghosts. He first bends his bow against it, and then unbends it, (discovering that) the subject is not an assailant, but a close relative. Going forward, he shall meet with (genial) rain, and there will be good fortune.

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