K'uei / Opposition

above: Li The Clinging, Flame
below: Tui The Joyous, Lake

In the third [six], divided, we see one whose carriage is dragged back while the oxen in it are pushed back, and he himself subjected to the shaving of his head and the cutting off of his nose. There is no good beginning, but there will be a good end.

Line 3 is weak, where it ought to be strong. Its correlate, however, in 6 is strong, and the relation between them might seem what it ought to be. But the weak 3 is between the strong lines in 2 and 4; and in a time of disunion there ensue the checking and repulsion emblemed in the Text. At the same time the subject of line 6 inflicts on that of 3 the punishments which are mentioned. It is thus bad for 3 at first, but we are told that in the end it will be well with him; and this will be due to the strength of the sixth line. The conclusion grows out of a conviction in the mind of the author that what is right and good is destined to triumph over what is wrong and bad. Disorder shall in the long run give place to order, and disunion to union.