Hexagram 23 · 山地剥

Splitting Apart

Earth · Qian palace

Structural decay: do not resist, do not act.

Meaning

Earth resting on a mountain: the base weakening under the weight above. Splitting Apart describes erosion that has reached an advanced stage.

Decision Framework

Do not act; let the structure settle.

Decision Guidance

Splitting Apart is one of the clearly unfavourable readings, and it is unusually direct: this is not a moment for initiative. The situation described is one of decay from within, where the supports are giving way regardless of what you do.

The advice is restraint rather than rescue. Attempting to hold up a failing structure usually costs you resources and buys little time. Protect what you can move to safety, avoid new commitments that depend on the current arrangement, and wait. The classical text treats this as the quiet, dark phase immediately before renewal begins.

Judgment — Classical Text

不利有攸往。

EN It is not favourable to set out.

The Six Lines — Classical Text

初六：剥床以足，蔑贞凶。
EN Initial six: stripping the bed from its feet — destroying perseverance brings misfortune.
六二：剥床以辨，蔑贞凶。
EN Six in the second: stripping the bed from its frame — destroying perseverance brings misfortune.
六三：剥之，无咎。
EN Six in the third: stripping away — no blame.
六四：剥床以肤，凶。
EN Six in the fourth: stripping the bed to the skin — misfortune.
六五：贯鱼，以宫人宠，无不利。
EN Six in the fifth: a string of fish, in favour like the palace women — nothing unfavourable.
上九：硕果不食，君子得舆，小人剥庐。
EN Topmost nine: the great fruit is not eaten; the noble one gains a carriage, the petty one strips the roof.

Keywords

I Ching hexagram 23, Splitting Apart hexagram, Bo hexagram meaning, hexagram for decline