Hexagram 6.5 — Conflict (Fifth Line)

Original Text & Translation

「讼元吉。」 — Bringing the conflict to judgment: supreme good fortune.

The classical image is of a dispute brought before a wise and impartial magistrate who possesses both the authority to decide and the virtue to judge fairly. Unlike the third line, which warns against prolonged litigation, the fifth line occupies the seat of power itself. Here, judgment is rendered correctly because the judge is centered, strong, and unbiased. The outcome restores order and vindicates what is right.

Core Meaning

Line five is the ruler's position in any hexagram, and in Conflict it represents the transformation of chaos into order through righteous judgment. This is not about winning through force or cunning, but about resolution through clarity, fairness, and the application of principle. When this line appears, it suggests that the conflict you face can and should be resolved through formal processes, trusted intermediaries, or appeals to higher standards.

The "supreme good fortune" arises because proper judgment ends the drain of ongoing dispute. It creates closure, establishes precedent, and allows all parties to move forward. Whether you are seeking judgment or rendering it, the emphasis is on integrity: the process must be clean, the standards must be clear, and the outcome must serve what is genuinely just rather than what is merely expedient.

In practical terms, this line often appears when you should escalate a matter to someone with real authority and wisdom — a senior leader, an arbitrator, a therapist, a legal professional, or even a trusted elder. It can also indicate that you yourself are being called to judge a matter fairly, and that doing so will bring excellent results for everyone involved.

Symbolism & Imagery

The fifth line sits between Heaven above and the human realm below. It is the position of the sovereign who mediates between cosmic principle and earthly affairs. In Conflict, this means the judge must embody both strength (yang in a yang position) and centrality (occupying the middle of the upper trigram). The image is of a courtroom where truth can emerge because the presiding authority creates the conditions for it: order, impartiality, and the weight of legitimate power.

Symbolically, this line also represents the moment when conflict stops being personal and becomes structural. The dispute is no longer about two egos clashing; it becomes a question that can be answered by reference to law, precedent, shared values, or expert assessment. This depersonalization is what allows resolution: the judge does not take sides based on relationship but decides based on what is right.

The imagery also warns against corrupt judgment. If the authority figure is biased, compromised, or weak, the "supreme good fortune" evaporates. Therefore, part of the wisdom of this line is discernment: knowing who is qualified to judge, and ensuring that if you are the judge, you remain centered and uncorrupted by pressure or favoritism.

Action Guidance

Career & Business

• Escalate to the right authority: if you are in a workplace dispute, bring it to HR, a senior leader, or a neutral third party with decision-making power. Do not let it fester in hallway conversations.
• Document clearly: present facts, timelines, and evidence in an organized way. Make it easy for the decision-maker to see the truth.
• Seek arbitration or mediation: in contract disputes, partnership conflicts, or vendor disagreements, formal mediation often yields better outcomes than prolonged negotiation.
• If you are the authority, be impartial: listen to all sides, consult precedent and policy, and make decisions based on principle rather than politics or personal preference.
• Set clear standards: establish the criteria by which the decision will be made, and communicate them to all parties. Transparency builds trust in the process.
• Do not delay judgment: once the facts are clear, decide. Prolonged indecision perpetuates conflict and erodes confidence in leadership.

Love & Relationships

• Bring in a counselor or therapist: if you and your partner are stuck in recurring conflict, a skilled third party can help you see patterns and find resolution.
• Appeal to shared values: instead of arguing about who is right, refer the dispute to the principles you both agreed to — respect, honesty, care, commitment.
• Let go of "winning": the goal is not to defeat your partner but to restore harmony. A fair process honors both people.
• If you are mediating for others: friends or family may ask you to weigh in on their conflicts. Be honest, fair, and willing to say hard truths to both sides.
• Recognize when you need outside help: some conflicts are too deep or too tangled for the couple alone to resolve. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not failure.

Health & Inner Work

• Consult the right expert: if you have a persistent health issue, seek a second opinion or a specialist. The "judge" here is the qualified professional who can diagnose and guide.
• Trust evidence-based approaches: rely on methods with track records — peer-reviewed treatments, established protocols, proven therapies.
• Mediate internal conflicts: if you feel torn between competing desires or values, journaling, therapy, or spiritual direction can help you find clarity.
• Set boundaries with authority: you are the ultimate judge of your own body and mind. Listen to experts, but make final decisions based on your own discernment and values.
• Resolve guilt or shame through honest self-assessment: bring your inner conflicts before your highest self or a trusted guide. Let truth, not fear, render the verdict.

Finance & Strategy

• Engage professional advisors: accountants, lawyers, financial planners. Pay for expertise when the stakes are high.
• Use formal dispute resolution: if you are in a financial conflict (partnership dissolution, contract breach, inheritance dispute), arbitration or legal judgment is often cleaner than endless negotiation.
• Audit and review: bring in an independent auditor or consultant to assess a troubled project or investment. Objective eyes reveal what insiders miss.
• Set decision criteria in advance: before entering a deal, define the metrics and conditions under which you will proceed, pause, or exit. Let the criteria judge, not your emotions.
• Honor agreements: if a fair judgment is rendered against you, accept it gracefully and move on. Integrity in loss builds long-term credibility.

Timing, Signals, and Readiness

The fifth line of Conflict suggests that the time for informal resolution has passed and the time for formal judgment has arrived. You know you are ready when: (1) the facts are clear and documented; (2) informal attempts at resolution have failed or stalled; (3) a qualified authority or process is available; and (4) you are willing to accept the outcome, even if it is not entirely in your favor.

This is not the moment for further negotiation or compromise. It is the moment to present the case, trust the process, and let the decision be made. If you are the judge, the signal is that all relevant information has been gathered and further delay serves no one. Render the decision with clarity and confidence.

Avoid this line's guidance if: the authority figure is corrupt or biased, the process is rigged, or you are seeking judgment out of spite rather than resolution. The "supreme good fortune" depends entirely on the integrity of the judge and the sincerity of the parties.

When This Line Moves

A moving fifth line in Conflict indicates that the resolution you seek is at hand, and the outcome will be favorable if you have acted with integrity. The transformation suggests a shift from contention to clarity, from disorder to structure. The resulting hexagram will show the new situation that emerges after judgment is rendered — often a state of greater harmony, order, or forward movement.

Practical takeaway: do not second-guess the process once you have committed to it. Trust the authority you have chosen, present your case honestly, and accept the decision. If you are the judge, make the call and stand by it. The moving line signals that this is the turning point; what comes next depends on the quality of the judgment rendered now.

In some cases, the moving line may also indicate that you are transitioning from being a party in conflict to being an authority or mediator yourself. You may be called to judge others' disputes, set policy, or establish standards. Approach this role with the same integrity you would want from a judge in your own case.

Concise Summary

Hexagram 6.5 is the line of righteous judgment and supreme good fortune in the midst of conflict. It teaches that disputes can be resolved when brought before the right authority — one who is impartial, strong, and guided by principle. Whether you seek judgment or render it, the key is integrity: clear standards, honest presentation, and acceptance of the outcome. When conflict is resolved through proper process, order is restored and all parties can move forward. This line transforms contention into closure and chaos into clarity.