Twenty-Third Hexagram : The Wisdom of Splitting Apart

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the twenty-third hexagram of the I Ching, Bo (剝), which symbolizes 'Splitting Apart' or 'Stripping'. It represents mountain over earth, like a mountain being stripped away layer by layer, emphasizing decline, disintegration, and the need for stillness and acceptance during times of erosion when inferior forces rise. The hexagram statement is: "SPLITTING APART. It does not further one to go anywhere."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Eroding Mountain, Layers of Decline'

Once upon a time, atop a majestic mountain resting on vast earth, erosion began to strip away its grandeur layer by layer. It did not further one to go anywhere during this time of splitting apart. At the base, the mountain's leg-like foundation split, destroying those who persevered stubbornly; misfortune befell the unyielding as the base crumbled.

The bed of the slope split at the edge, again destroying the persistent; misfortune struck the rigid who refused to adapt.

One villager split from the crumbling group, finding no blame in detaching to seek safety.

The erosion split up to the skin of the mountain, bringing misfortune as the core began to expose.

A shoal of fishes-like followers found favor through the court's gentle ladies, everything acting to further in this unexpected alliance amid decay.

At the top, a large fruit remained uneaten; the superior man received a carriage to escape, while the inferior man's house split apart completely.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Six): The leg of the bed is split. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.

This line warns of foundational decay destroying the stubborn, leading to ill fortune. Matching part in the tale: "At the base, the mountain's leg-like foundation split, destroying those who persevered stubbornly; misfortune befell the unyielding as the base crumbled." This symbolizes early erosion targeting persistence harmfully. Annotation: I Ching Bo hexagram first line: "The leg of the bed is split. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): The bed is split at the edge. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.

This line indicates peril closing in, with persistence leading to downfall. Matching part in the tale: "The bed of the slope split at the edge, again destroying the persistent; misfortune struck the rigid who refused to adapt." Rigid refusal accelerates split. Annotation: I Ching Bo hexagram second line: "The bed is split at the edge. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing bed split at edge destroying perseverers in misfortune, representing Bo hexagram second line: edging peril, slope erosion scene, earthy tones with intense yellows for rigidity."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): He splits with them. No blame.

This line suggests detaching from decaying groups blamelessly. Matching part in the tale: "One villager split from the crumbling group, finding no blame in detaching to seek safety." Detachment saves without fault. Annotation: I Ching Bo hexagram third line: "He splits with them. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating splitting from group without blame for safety, embodying Bo hexagram third line: blameless detachment, villager separation scene on mountain, muted greens and browns for escape."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): The bed is split up to the skin. Misfortune.

This line warns of decay reaching the core, bringing inevitable misfortune. Matching part in the tale: "The erosion split up to the skin of the mountain, bringing misfortune as the core began to expose." Core exposure dooms. Annotation: I Ching Bo hexagram fourth line: "The bed is split up to the skin. Misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying bed split to skin in misfortune as core exposes, symbolizing Bo hexagram fourth line: inevitable doom, exposing mountain core scene, dark reds and grays for exposure."

Fifth Line (Six in the Fifth Place): A shoal of fishes. Favor comes through the court ladies. Everything acts to further.

This line represents unexpected alliances aiding during decline, furthering all. Matching part in the tale: "A shoal of fishes-like followers found favor through the court's gentle ladies, everything acting to further in this unexpected alliance amid decay." Gentle favor furthers. Annotation: I Ching Bo hexagram fifth line: "A shoal of fishes. Favor comes through the court ladies. Everything acts to further."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing shoal of fishes gaining favor through court ladies furthering all, representing Bo hexagram fifth line: alliance amid decay, court scene on eroding mountain, vibrant blues and golds for favor."

Top Line (Nine at the Top): There is a large fruit still uneaten. The superior man receives a carriage. The house of the inferior man is split apart.

This line indicates the superior escaping while the inferior collapses, with uneaten fruit symbolizing renewal potential. Matching part in the tale: "At the top, a large fruit remained uneaten; the superior man received a carriage to escape, while the inferior man's house split apart completely." Superior escapes, inferior falls. Annotation: I Ching Bo hexagram top line: "There is a large fruit still uneaten. The superior man receives a carriage. The house of the inferior man is split apart."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting large uneaten fruit with superior receiving carriage as inferior's house splits, symbolizing Bo hexagram sixth line: escape and collapse, peak mountain scene, luminous yellows and purples for renewal."

This blog should make the six lines of Bo hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~