Hexagram 23, Bō (Splitting Apart): Line 1

剥卦初六 · 山地剥 · 中文版

初六:剥床以足,蔑贞凶。

The line (Legge)

The first SIX, divided, shows one overturning the couch by injuring its legs. (The injury will go on to) the destruction of (all) firm correctness, and there will be evil.

Small Image commentary

'He overthrows the couch by injuring its legs:' - thus (he commences) his work of ruin with what is lowest (in the superior man).

象曰:剥床以足,以灭下也。

In plain words

Splitting the bed starts with its legs; what is right is cast aside: misfortune. In this hexagram yin is strong and yang weak, eating away from the bottom up; the first line starts at the foundation. The Small Image says destruction begins from below.

Applying it to your situation

If you notice problems starting in your foundations, this line suggests not ignoring small damage. Which part of your base needs repair right away?

Position

A broken (yin) line in the first place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is not in its proper place. Its partner is line 4; both are yin, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Bō changes into Hexagram 27 Yí (Nourishment). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·剥之颐.

The hexagram

Hexagram 23 Bō (Splitting Apart). The Judgment: Bo indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.

Next: Line 2

English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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