23. Bo | Splitting Apart
- Line 1 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
剥：不利有攸往。
Translation: 剥 / Splitting Apart: 不it is beneficial to have somewhere to go。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Bo (Splitting Apart), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting; the warning against going forward suggests restraint rather than expansion.
初六：剥床以足，蔑贞，凶。
Translation: First Six: 剥床以足，蔑贞，misfortune。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “misfortune” marks serious risk.
六二：剥床以辨，蔑贞，凶。
Translation: Second Six: 剥床以辨，蔑贞，misfortune。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “misfortune” marks serious risk.
六三：剥之无咎。
Translation: Third Six: 剥之no blame。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
六四：剥床以肤，凶。
Translation: Fourth Six: 剥床以肤，misfortune。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “misfortune” marks serious risk.
六五：贯鱼，以宫人宠，无不利。
Translation: Fifth Six: Draft rendering: 贯鱼，以宫人宠，无不利。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
上九：硕果不食，君子得舆，小人剥庐。
Translation: Top Nine: Draft rendering: 硕果不食，君子得舆，小人剥庐。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.