Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 4

Opposites becomes Good Manners

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Can courtesy bridge a divide? With lines two, three and four moving, Lake becomes Fire and Fire becomes Mountain, and the figure turns into 22 Good Manners. The two judgments share the weight. Opposites speaks of people who differ from you yet must work alongside you, where only small achievements are possible and each side should stay itself. The resulting hexagram says kindness and good manners bring good results now, even if they seem superficial, and that this is a time for everyday matters rather than great undertakings. Together, the answer is yes, at least in small ways. You don't need to agree with everyone. Be polite, be considerate, and keep your dealings graceful. Focus on daily tasks. Good form tends to smooth friction where arguments can't, and it leaves room for each person's nature.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. The judgment of 38 Opposites

    You're in a situation of opposition: the people around you are different from you, yet you need to share with them. This means that what you can achieve for now is small. Even so, don't give in. It matters that both you and they keep your own nature and contribute from there to a shared project.

    In small matters, good fortune.

  2. The judgment of 22 Good Manners

    It's a time to be kind and courteous and to use good manners with others if you want good results in what you undertake. What might seem superficial at another time leads you to success now. It's a time to handle everyday matters, not great undertakings.

    Success. In small things, it is favorable to have somewhere to go.

  3. Line 2 of 38 Opposites

    You can reach agreements with people like you whom you're not in touch with, using skillful means to bring those meetings about.

    Meets their lord in a back lane. No fault.

  4. Line 3 of 38 Opposites

    Even if conditions turn against you and you're even attacked, staying true to yourself and to those you admire will lead you to success.

    Sees the cart dragged back, the ox held fast; the driver, branded on the forehead, nose cut off. No beginning, but an end.

  5. Line 4 of 38 Opposites

    Keeping to yourself in this time of opposition will help you find people who are truly like you and achieve success.

    Alone in opposition, meets a worthy man; they trust each other. Danger. No fault.

The trigrams

Below Lake Fire
Above Fire Mountain

The way back

22 Good Manners → 38 Opposites
lines 2, 3, and 4

Other transformations of Opposites

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins