I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 13 with Changing Lines 2, 3, 5 to Hexagram 38

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 13.2.3.5 -> 38

Young Yang Old Yang Young Yang Old Yang Old Yin Young Yang

13. Union of People

Yang Yin Yang Yin Yang Yang

38. Divergence

13. Union of People (同人 Tóng Rén)

Trigrams

Above
☰ Qián (Heaven)
Below
☲ Lí (Fire)

The Symbolism of Hexagram 13

Hexagram 同人 (Tóng Rén) describes alignment among people based on what is shared and visible. It is not mere closeness, but union formed in the open through recognition of a common principle.

Hexagram 13 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
同人于野，亨。利涉大川，利君子贞。
(Tóng rén yú yě, hēng. Lì shè dà chuān, lì jūn zǐ zhēn.)
English Translation:
"Union with people in the open. Passage. Favorable to cross the great river. Favorable to maintain constancy in the superior person."

True alignment arises in what is open and shared, not confined to private or exclusive circles. When union is based on a clear common ground, movement becomes possible even across difficulty.

Constancy ensures that this union does not fragment. Without a stable principle, association becomes unstable or partial.

Hexagram 13 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
天火同人。君子以类族辨物。
(Tiān huǒ tóng rén. Jūn zǐ yǐ lèi zú biàn wù.)
English Translation:
"Heaven above, fire below: this is union with people. The superior person distinguishes kinds and groups things according to their nature."

Fire illuminates upward toward heaven, making what is shared visible. Union is formed through clarity, not through confusion or sameness.

The superior person does not erase differences but understands them, grouping and relating things appropriately. Through this, true alignment becomes possible.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
同人于宗，吝。
(Tóng rén yú zōng, lìn.)
English Translation:
"Union within the clan. Constriction."

When union is confined to a closed group, it becomes limited and self-referential.

This restricts broader alignment and prevents the formation of a wider, more effective unity.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
伏戎于莽，升其高陵，三岁不兴。
(Fú róng yú mǎng, shēng qí gāo líng, sān suì bù xīng.)
English Translation:
"Forces concealed in the brush, rising to high ground; for a long time, no movement."

This line shows hidden opposition within what should be union. Suspicion and guarded positioning prevent true alignment.

Because trust is absent, no real progress can occur, even over an extended period.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
同人，先号咷而后笑。大师克相遇。
(Tóng rén, xiān háo táo ér hòu xiào. Dà shī kè xiāng yù.)
English Translation:
"Union: first distress, then release. A great force brings about meeting."

True union may pass through tension or separation before it is realized. The initial difficulty reflects the challenge of achieving genuine alignment.

When the unifying force is strong enough, separation resolves and connection is restored.

Changing to:

38. Divergence (睽 Kuí)

Trigrams

Above
☲ Lí (Fire)
Below
☱ Duì (Lake)

The Symbolism of Hexagram 38

Hexagram 睽 (Kuí) describes divergence—components of a system remain connected but move in different directions. Alignment is partial, not absent.

Fire above and lake below move in opposing tendencies: fire rises, lake settles. This creates separation within a shared structure. The system does not collapse, but coherence is reduced.

Hexagram 38 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
睽，小事吉。
(Kuí, xiǎo shì jí.)
English Translation:
"Divergence. Small actions bring favorable outcome."

The system is not fully aligned, so large-scale coordination is not possible. However, local actions remain effective.

Working within limited scope preserves function. Attempting large integration would create conflict.

Hexagram 38 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
上火下澤，睽。君子以同而異。
(Shàng huǒ xià zé, kuí. Jūn zǐ yǐ tóng ér yì.)
English Translation:
"Fire above, lake below: divergence. Shared structure remains, but directions differ."

The system contains opposing tendencies within a single framework. Separation occurs without total disconnection.

Common ground exists, but expression differs. Stability depends on recognizing both unity and separation.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team