Hexagram 23: Splitting Apart

Hexagram 23, Splitting Apart (Bō, 剥), is formed of the upper trigram Mountain (艮) over the lower trigram Earth (坤). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Mountain describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Earth describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of Splitting Apart.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 The bed's legs are split — the steadfast are undermined. Misfortune.剥床以足，蔑贞；凶。
• 六二 · Line 2 The bed's frame is split — the steadfast are undermined. Misfortune.剥床以辨，蔑贞凶。
• 六三 · Line 3 One splits away from the strippers. No blame.剥之，无咎。
• 六四 · Line 4 The bed is stripped to the skin — misfortune is upon you.剥床以肤，凶。
• 六五 · Line 5 A string of fishes: favor shared in due order. Nothing fails.贯鱼以宫人宠，无不利。
• 上九 · Line 6 One great fruit left uneaten: the noble one gains a carriage; the petty one's hut is torn down.硕果不食，君子得舆，小人剥庐。

Reading Hexagram 23 for Your Question

When Splitting Apart appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of Splitting Apart to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.