剥 Bō Disintegration (Splitting apart) [hexagram 23]

Earth element

夬 Guài [43] Breakthrough; Resolution

Opposite

复 Fù [24] Returning; Turning back

Inverse

坤 Kūn [2] Acceptance; Responding

Mutual

The Decision

Disintegration means all enterprises are unfavorable.

Disintegration is falling apart. The weak threatens to overthrow the strong. ‘All enterprises are unfavorable’ because weakness is spreading. It is wise to pause and contemplate. Study the cycles of increase and decrease, of surplus and shortage as signified by the heavens.

剥: 不利有攸往. Bō: bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng.

彖传: 剥, 剥也, 柔变刚也. 不利有攸往, 小人长也. 顺而止之, 观象也. 君子尚消息盈虚, 天行也. Tuàn zhuàn: Bō, bō yě, róu biàn gāng yě. Bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng, xiǎo rén zhǎng yě. shùn ér zhǐ zhī, guān xiàng yě. Jūn zǐ shàng xiāo xi yíng xū, tiān xíng yě.

The Image

Earth below Mountain signifies disintegration. It is wise to strengthen from beneath to stabilize the foundations.

象传: 山附地上, 剥; 上以厚下, 安宅. Xiàng zhuàn: Shān fù dì shang, bō; shàng yǐ hòu xià, ān zhái.

Line Change 1

颐 Yí [27] Nourishment; Food

The bed’s leg is broken. Persistence will lead to destruction. Misfortune.

‘A bed’s leg is broken’ – the cause of collapse is at the base.

初六: 剥床以足, 蔑贞凶. Chū liù: bō chuáng yǐ zú, miè zhēn xiōng.

象传: 剥床以足, 以灭下也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bō chuáng yǐ zú, yǐ miè xià yě.

Line Change 2

蒙 Méng [4] Inexperience; Childhood

The bed’s frame is broken. Persistence will lead to destruction. Problems.

‘A bed’s frame is broken’ – there is no support.

六二: 剥床以辨, 蔑贞凶. Liù èr: bō chuáng yǐ biàn, miè zhēn xiōng.

象传: 剥床以辨, 未有与也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bō chuáng yǐ biàn, wèi yǒu yǔ yě.

Line Change 3

艮 Gèn [52] Stillness; Immobility

Disintegration among rabble. This is not an error.

No error in disintegration among rabble – splitting from those both above and below.

六三: 剥之, 无咎. Liù sān: bō zhī, wú jiù.

象传: 剥之无咎, 失上下也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bō zhī wú jiù, shī shàng xià yě.

Line Change 4

晋 Jìn [35] Forward progress; Gain ground

The bed disintegrates and injures. Not favorable.

‘The bed disintegrates and injures’ – calamity is at hand.

六四: 剥床以肤, 凶. Liù sì: bō chuáng yǐ fū, xiōng.

象传: 剥床以肤, 切近灾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bō chuáng yǐ fū, qiè jìn zāi yě.

Line Change 5

观 Guān [20] Contemplation; Observation

Several fish on the line. The courting of officials is favorable. Advantageous.

‘The courting of officials is favorable’ – there will be no complaints.

六五: 贯鱼, 以宫人宠, 无不利. Liù wǔ: guàn yú, yǐ gōng rén chǒng, wú bù lì.

象传: 以宫人宠, 终无尤也. Xiàng zhuàn: Yǐ gōng rén chǒng, zhōng wú yóu yě.

Line Change 6

坤 Kūn [2] Acceptance; Responding

A large fruit not yet eaten. The wise gain advantage while the dwellings of others fall apart.

‘The wise gain advantage’ – supported by the people. ‘While the dwellings of others fall apart’ – they are not fit for habitation.

上九: 硕果不食, 君子得舆, 小人剥庐. Shàng jiǔ: shuò guǒ bù shí, jūn zǐ dé yú, xiǎo rén bō lú.

象传: 君子得舆, 民所载也. 小人剥庐, 终不可用也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jūn zǐ dé yú, mín suǒ zài yě. Xiǎo rén bō lú, zhōng bù kě yòng yě.