Is line 4 of Divergence in its correct place?

It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.

Hexagram 38, line 4

九四Line 4 of Divergence

Nine in the fourth place · 睽 kuí

isolatedmeeting the good mansincerity exchanged

爻辭 The line text

睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厲无咎。

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject solitary amidst the (prevailing) disunion. (But) he meets with the good man (represented by the first line), and they blend their sincere desires together. The position is one of peril, but there will be no mistake.

Its symbolism

交孚无咎，志行也。

'They blend their sincere desires together, and there will be no error:'—their (common) aim is carried into effect.

In plain words

Alone in the opposition; he meets the good man and they exchange sincerity; perilous, but no fault. Line four is yang in a yin place, out of position, and it has no proper correspondent — the first line is yang like itself — so by the usual rule it is isolated (睽孤). But Kui is the hexagram in which likes find each other across the estrangement: the 元夫, the 'original man', is the first line, and the two yang lines in yin surroundings recognise one another. The small Image says the exchange of trust works because 'the will is carried out' (志行). The peril is real — it is still a time of division — but a true ally changes its weight.

If this line is changing

When you feel isolated, look for the person who is in the same position as you rather than the one you are supposed to be paired with; sincerity between equals carries you through.

Where the line stands

A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
It belongs to the upper trigram 離 Li (the Clinging) (fire).
It has no correspondence (無應) with line 1: both lines are yang, so this line must find its support in its neighbours or in itself.

之卦 When this line moves

睽 Divergence becomes ䷨ 41 損 Diminishing

The lake at the foot of the mountain giving up its moisture: decrease. Sincerity makes even decrease supremely fortunate — two bowls of simple food suffice for the offering.

What it becomes41 · 損 Diminishingsǔn

The six lines of 睽 Divergence

Read 睽 Divergence for a question about

Love and relationships Work and career A yes-or-no decision

Questions about this line

What does Nine in the fourth place of hexagram 38, Divergence, mean?: Alone in the opposition; he meets the good man and they exchange sincerity; perilous, but no fault. Line four is yang in a yin place, out of position, and it has no proper correspondent — the first line is yang like itself — so by the usual rule it is isolated (睽孤). But Kui is the hexagram in which likes find each other across the estrangement: the 元夫, the 'original man', is the first line, and the two yang lines in yin surroundings recognise one another. The small Image says the exchange of trust works because 'the will is carried out' (志行). The peril is real — it is still a time of division — but a true ally changes its weight.
What does hexagram 38 become when line 4 changes?: Divergence becomes hexagram 41, 損 Diminishing: The lake at the foot of the mountain giving up its moisture: decrease. Sincerity makes even decrease supremely fortunate — two bowls of simple food suffice for the offering.
Is line 4 of Divergence in its correct place?: It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.

Cast a reading Hexagram 38 in full Changing lines explained

Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).