Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.
The upper portion of Sung is (the trigram representing) strength, and the lower (that representing) peril. (The coming together of) strength and peril gives (the idea in) Sung.
'Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune:'—a strong (line) has come and got the central place (in the lower trigram). 'If he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil:'—contention is not a thing to be carried on to extremity. 'It will be advantageous to meet with the great man:'—what he sets a value on is the due mean, and the correct place. 'It will not be advantageous to cross the great stream:'—one (attempting to do so) would find himself in an abyss.
The Image
天與水違行，訟；君子以作事謀始。
(The trigram representing) heaven and (that representing) water, moving away from each other, form Sung. The superior man, in accordance with this, in the transaction of affairs takes good counsel about his first steps.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。
The topmost line, undivided, shows how its subject may have the leathern belt conferred on him (by the sovereign), and thrice it shall be taken from him in a morning.
Its symbolism
以訟受服，亦不足敬也。
'He receives the robe through his contention:'—but still he is not deserving of respect.
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct. There will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
復即命，渝安貞；不失也。
'He returns to (the study of Heaven's) ordinances, changes (his wish to contend), and rests in being firm and correct:'—he does not fail (in doing what is right).
The third line, divided, shows its subject keeping in the old place assigned for his support, and firmly correct. Perilous as the position is, there will be good fortune in the end. Should he perchance engage in the king's business, he will not (claim the merit of) achievement.
Its symbolism
食舊德，從上吉也。
'He confines himself to the support assigned to him of old:'—(thus) following those above him, he will have good fortune.
The second line, undivided, shows its subject unequal to the contention. If he retire and keep concealed (where) the inhabitants of his city are (only) three hundred families, he will fall into no mistake.
Its symbolism
不克訟，歸逋竄也。自下訟上，患至掇也。
'He is unequal to the contention; he retires and keeps concealed, stealthily withdrawing from it:'—for him from his lower place to contend with (the stronger one) above, would be to (invite) calamity, as if he brought it with his hand to himself.
The first line, divided, shows its subject not perpetuating the matter about which (the contention is). He will suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against, but the end will be fortunate.
Its symbolism
不永所事，訟不可長也。雖小有言，其辯明也。
'He does not perpetuate the matter about which (the contention is):'—contention should not be prolonged. Although 'he may suffer the small (injury) of being spoken against,' his argument is clear.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 6, Dispute, mean?
Heaven above and water below, moving apart: contention. Sincerity is obstructed; a dispute may be won partway but ends badly if pushed to the finish.
Which trigrams form Dispute?
乾 above 坎 — heaven over water. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 家人 Household.
What happens when a line of Dispute changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Dispute in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - — - - — — — is Dispute. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.