Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
Separate facts from disagreement. Seek fair mediation before a dispute becomes a contest of pride.
This is Fatefold’s original reflective interpretation, not a word-for-word translation or a classical prediction about a modern question.
Classical line statements · bottom to top
01
初六 不永所事，小有言，終吉。
02
九二 不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶，无眚。
03
六三 食舊德，貞厲，終吉，或從王事，无成。
04
九四 不克訟，復即命，渝安貞，吉。
05
九五 訟，元吉。
06
上九 或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Kan · Water; the upper is Qian · Heaven. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. Separate facts from disagreement. Seek fair mediation before a dispute becomes a contest of pride.
The Tuan discusses the judgment through polarity, position and timing. Its conditions belong with the judgment; an isolated favorable or unfavorable word does not settle a whole situation.
Great Image · from pattern to conduct
天與水違行，訟。君子以作事謀始。
The Great Image turns Conflict into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to conflict fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初六 · 1
不永所事，小有言，終吉。
《小象》：不永所事，訟不可長也，雖小有言，其辯明也。
Keep a dispute bounded and state the necessary facts.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
九二 · 2
不克訟，歸而逋，其邑人三百戶，无眚。
《小象》：不克訟，歸逋，竄也。自下訟上，患至掇也。
Withdrawal can protect what an unwinnable dispute endangers.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
六三 · 3
食舊德，貞厲，終吉，或從王事，无成。
《小象》：食舊德，從上吉也。
Keep established responsibilities without seeking status through conflict.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
九四 · 4
不克訟，復即命，渝安貞，吉。
《小象》：復即命，渝安貞，不失也。
Change course toward a steadier principle.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
九五 · 5
訟，元吉。
《小象》：訟元吉，以中正也。
Fair adjudication matters more than forceful assertion.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上九 · 6
或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。
《小象》：以訟受服，亦不足敬也。
A contested honor may be repeatedly taken away; victory is unstable.
The top line ends this pattern; consider excess, closure and a next stage.
Relate it to your question
Separate known facts, unconfirmed information and available actions. Which part of this symbol fits, and which does not?
