Bo

Judgment

剝 不利有攸往

It wouldn't be advantageous to have somewhere to go.

Interpretation

The Bak hexagram consists of the upper trigram Kan (Mountain) and the lower trigram Kun (Earth). Kan represents a mountain, and Kun represents the earth. The image of the Bak hexagram is a mountain attached to the earth. The mountain, receiving the sunlight, is constantly subjected to erosion by wind, rain, lightning, thunder, the flow of streams, and atmospheric forces, with soil and gravel continually being worn away. Bak means to fall away or to be eroded.

In the hexagram, the five yin lines are at the bottom, and the one yang line is at the top. The five yin lines are overwhelming the single yang line at the top. In the natural world, this represents the abundance of yin energy in the summer, with yang energy being weak, as in winter. When yin energy dominates over yang energy, all things wither and fall away. In the human world, this can be likened to the rise of the small and the decline of the noble. If the small (inferior) forces overpower the noble, the country or the structure will collapse.

The hexagram indicates that in such times, the noble or virtuous should retreat and avoid recklessness, as attempting to advance in such an environment would be unfavorable. This is a time for caution and waiting for better circumstances.

If someone receives this hexagram, it suggests that they are in a time of decline and should pause what they are doing and withdraw to wait for a better time. The mountain, subject to continuous erosion, symbolizes a period when the strong forces are undermined by smaller, negative forces. The hexagram advises that, even with great talent or ambition, one should not act impulsively. Instead, it is better to withdraw, wait for the right moment, and prepare for the coming spring or a new dawn when conditions improve

初六 剝牀以足,蔑貞,凶

Initial Six: Stripping the bed with feet, breaking the standard, dangerous.

'Bak' means to strike or beat, and has evolved to signify 'fall apart' or 'collapse.' 'Sang' refers to the body of a cart. 'Myeol' is used in this context as 'dream.' The 'Myeoljeong' line refers to divination through dreams. A person who receives this line in divination is in a situation where they must face potential collapse or destruction, but this is a necessary process for renewal. The matter inquired about in divination will be auspicious.

六二 剝牀以辨,蔑貞,凶

Six Second: Stripping the bed with caution, breaking the standard, dangerous.

The character "Feces" refers to a wheel or wheel part, and "Destruction" is derived from the word "Mont" (dream). The situation described involves a minor official in the palace being tasked with making a wheel for a nobleman’s cart. The person drawing this hexagram is in a similar situation, facing an undesirable task that feels like a burden, leading to dissatisfaction and frustration. The work they are asking about may face difficulties and unfavorable results.

六三 剝之,无咎

Six Third: Stripping, no blame.

The term "ji" refers to the body of a cart. Once the body of the cart is complete, the cart is almost finished. The hexagram suggests that no significant mistakes will occur once the project or task has reached this stage, as the foundation is solid.

六四 剝牀以膚,凶

Six Fourth: Stripping with skin, dangerous.

The term "Bu" refers to a place, and "So-in" refers to a servant. The hexagram speaks of a servant tasked with making a vehicle, but there is no gain from the task. The person asking about the hexagram is in a situation where their efforts will not lead to any positive result. The task will not yield any benefits and will be unfavorable.

六五 貫魚,以宮人寵,无不利

Six Fifth: Strung fish, with the palace woman’s favor, no disadvantage.

A craftsman summoned to the palace finishes a chariot and shoots a fish with an arrow, earning the king’s favor at the ceremony. The task at hand will bring great gains, catching fish and winning favor, with nothing but benefits ahead.

上九 碩果不食,君子得輿,小人剝廬

Top Nine: The great fruit is not eaten, the gentleman obtains the cart, the small person strips the hut.

The craftsman builds a cart for the君子, who praises it, but declines reward, leaving the君子 enriched and the craftsman’s home neglected. The task at hand sees the humble forgo gain while others prosper, a selfless loss.