Song

䷅ Kan below, Qian above

The Book of Changes

The Song Hexagram: Sincerity is present, but obstructed; be cautious—midway brings good fortune, but the end brings misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person, but unfavorable to cross the great river.

Initial Six: Do not prolong entanglements in disputes. Though there are minor verbal conflicts, the end is auspicious.

Second Nine: Arguing without victory; return and flee. The three hundred households of his fief suffer no calamity.

Third Six: Partake of old virtue and hold to the correct path to guard against danger; the end is auspicious. Or serve in the king’s affairs, but achieve nothing.

Fourth Nine: Arguing without victory; return and submit to the shift of fate. Abiding in correctness brings good fortune.

Fifth Nine: Arguing brings supreme good fortune.

Top Nine: Perhaps granted a leather belt (official robe), but stripped of it many times within a single day.

The Commentary on the Judgment says:

The Song hexagram: The upper trigram is firm and strong (Qian), the lower trigram is perilous and treacherous (Kan). Encountering danger yet able to be strong—this is contention. The Song hexagram: “Sincerity is present, but obstructed; be cautious—midway brings good fortune”—this is because the firm line comes forward and occupies the central position. “The end brings misfortune”—because contention cannot succeed. “It is favorable to see the great person”—because the central and correct way is honored. “Unfavorable to cross the great river”—because one would fall into the abyss.

The Commentary on the Images says:

Heaven and water move in opposite directions—this is the image of Song. The noble person, by observing this, plans carefully at the beginning of undertakings.

“Do not prolong entanglements in disputes”—because contention cannot be sustained for long. Though there are minor conflicts, the right and wrong will eventually be clarified.

“Arguing without victory”—return and flee into hiding. When the inferior contends with the superior, calamity comes as easily as picking up something.

“Partake of old virtue”—following the superior brings good fortune.

“Return and submit to the shift of fate”—abiding in correctness, there is no loss.

“Arguing brings supreme good fortune”—because one holds to the central and correct path.

Gaining an official robe through contention is not enough to command respect.