Hexagram 23 · ䷖
This is a time of stripping away and collapse. It is not favorable to push forward with new undertakings.
Judgment
This is a time of stripping away and collapse. It is not favorable to push forward with new undertakings.
Image
When what is above rests on what is below, foundations matter. The ruler secures stability by strengthening the base rather than embellishing the top.
Lines
The leg of the bed splits apart. Those who stubbornly persevere are destroyed. Misfortune. The bed splits at the edge. Those who stubbornly persevere are destroyed. Misfortune spre...
Splitting Apart. It does not further one to undertake anything.
This is a time of stripping away and collapse. It is not favorable to push forward with new undertakings.
Splitting Apart means ruin. The yielding changes the firm. It does not further one to undertake anything, for the inferiors destroy what is above them. In following what is above, one loses the way.
The lower, weaker forces are eroding what is above them. The right response is not aggressive advance, but recognizing the cycle of decline and holding to what can still be preserved.
The mountain rests upon the earth: the image of Splitting Apart. Those above secure their dwellings by treating those below generously.
When what is above rests on what is below, foundations matter. The ruler secures stability by strengthening the base rather than embellishing the top.
The leg of the bed is split. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.
The leg of the bed splits apart. Those who stubbornly persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.
Small Image
The leg of the bed is split. Those who persevere are destroyed. The yielding destroys the firm below.
The split bed leg shows the yielding destroying the firm from below.
The bed is split at the edge. Those who persevere are destroyed. Misfortune.
The bed splits at the edge. Those who stubbornly persevere are destroyed. Misfortune spreads.
Small Image
The bed is split at the edge. Those who persevere are destroyed. The yielding destroys the firm.
The split bed edge shows the yielding destroying the firm structure.
He splits with them. No blame.
Separating from the collapsing structure brings no blame. One must let go to survive.
Small Image
He splits with them. No blame. He loses what is above and finds what is below.
Separating brings no blame because one abandons what is above to find security below.
The bed is split up to the skin. Misfortune.
The bed is split through to the surface. Danger threatens the very foundation. Misfortune.
Small Image
The bed is split up to the skin. He is too close to the danger.
The bed split to the skin shows one too dangerously close to collapse.
A shoal of fishes. Favor comes through the court ladies. Everything acts to further.
A shoal of fishes represents followers gathering. Favor comes through subordinates. Everything furthers proper action.
Small Image
Favor comes through the court ladies. They do not act as leaders but as followers.
Favor through court ladies shows followers acting properly as subordinates, not leaders.
There is a large fruit still uneaten. The superior man receives a carriage. The house of the inferior man is split apart.
A large fruit remains uneaten. The superior person receives honor and position. The inferior person's house is split apart.
Small Image
The superior man receives a carriage. He is carried by the people. The house of the inferior man is split apart. This is his end.
The superior person receiving a carriage is lifted by the people. The inferior person's house splitting is his inevitable end.
What does Po / Splitting Apart mean in the I Ching?
This is a time of stripping away and collapse. It is not favorable to push forward with new undertakings.
How should I study Hexagram 23 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The leg of the bed splits apart. Those who stubbornly persevere are destroyed. Misfortune. The bed splits at the edge. Those who stubbornly persevere are destroyed. Misfortune spre...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
The lower, weaker forces are eroding what is above them. The right response is not aggressive advance, but recognizing the cycle of decline and holding to what can still be preserved.
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.