kuíAlso known as “Opposition” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Khwei” (Legge)
oppositionestrangementdifference
In plain words
Fire rising and the lake sinking: two moving apart. Opposition — good fortune only in small matters; yet difference has its uses, as heaven and earth differ and still work together.
The attitude it asks for
Don't force unity; find small common ground, keep your individuality, and let misunderstandings dissolve with time.
In Khwei we have (the symbol of) Fire, which, when moved, tends upwards, and that of a Marsh, whose waters, when moved, tend downwards. We have (also the symbols of) two sisters living together, but whose wills do not move in the same direction.
(We see how the inner trigram expressive of) harmonious satisfaction is attached to (the outer expressive of) bright intelligence; (we see) the weak line advanced and acting above, and how it occupies the central place, and is responded to by the strong (line below). These indications show that 'in small matters there will (still) be good fortune.'
Heaven and earth are separate and apart, but the work which they do is the same. Male and female are separate and apart, but with a common will they seek the same object. There is diversity between the myriad classes of beings, but there is an analogy between their several operations. Great indeed are the phenomena and the results of this condition of disunion and separation.
The Image
上火下澤，睽；君子以同而異。
(The trigram representing) fire above, and that for (the waters of) a marsh below, form Khwei. The superior man, in accordance with this, where there is a general agreement, yet admits diversity.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
睽孤，見豕負塗，載鬼一車，先張之弧，後說之弧，匪寇婚媾，往遇雨則吉。
The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject solitary amidst the (prevailing) disunion. (In the subject of the third line, he seems to) see a pig bearing on its back a load of mud, (or fancies) there is a carriage full of ghosts. He first bends his bow against him, and afterwards unbends it, (for he discovers) that he is not an assailant to injure, but a near relative. Going forward, he shall meet with (genial) rain, and there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
遇雨之吉，群疑亡也。
'The good fortune symbolised by meeting with (genial) rain' springs from the passing away of all doubts.
The fifth line, divided, shows that (to its subject) occasion for repentance will disappear. With his relative (and minister he unites closely and readily) as if he were biting through a piece of skin. When he goes forward (with this help), what error can there be?
Its symbolism
厥宗噬膚，往有慶也。
'With his hereditary minister (he unites closely and easily) as if he were biting through a piece of skin:'—his going forward will afford ground for congratulation.
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 the third line, divided, we see one whose carriage is dragged back, while the oxen in it are pushed back, and he is 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.
Its symbolism
見輿曳，位不當也。无初有終，遇剛也。
'We see his carriage dragged back:'—this is indicated by the inappropriateness of the position (of the line). 'There is no (good) beginning, but there will be a (good) end:'—this arises from his meeting with the strong (subject of the topmost line).
The first line, undivided, shows that (to its subject) occasion for repentance will disappear. He has lost his horses, but let him not seek for them;—they will return of themselves. Should he meet with bad men, he will not err (in communicating with them).
Its symbolism
見惡人，以辟咎也。
'He meets with bad men (and communicates with them):'—(he does so), to avoid the evil of their condemnation.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 38, Divergence, mean?
Fire rising and the lake sinking: two moving apart. Opposition — good fortune only in small matters; yet difference has its uses, as heaven and earth differ and still work together.
Which trigrams form Divergence?
離 above 兌 — fire over lake. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 既濟 Already Crossed.
What happens when a line of Divergence 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 Divergence in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — — - - — - - — is Divergence. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.