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Don't covet glory and wealth, don't be like a big rat in a granary!
A gentleman cherishes his reputation, is loved by others, and is popular among the people.
Villains are greedy, indifferent to dignity, and destroy rules and order. Even if you climb to the roof, what's the use? If it cannot be reused, it will be your own fault if you climb high and fall hard!
If you are humble, fear justice and justice, be upright and honest, cherish your reputation, and have the support of the people, then you will have no worries!)
A gentleman cherishes his reputation, is loved by others, and is popular among the people.
Villains are greedy, indifferent to dignity, and destroy rules and order. Even if you climb to the roof, what's the use? If it cannot be reused, it will be your own fault if you climb high and fall hard!
If you are humble, fear justice and justice, be upright and honest, cherish your reputation, and have the support of the people, then you will have no worries!)
The villain succeeds, and the newcomer takes over!
Just like the concubines entering the house, filing in!
The servants are favored and there is no harm for the time being.
The villain has succeeded and has not caused trouble yet, so there is nothing to make a fuss about.
It is necessary to assess the situation and wait and see how it changes. Don't worry too much!)
Just like the concubines entering the house, filing in!
The servants are favored and there is no harm for the time being.
The villain has succeeded and has not caused trouble yet, so there is nothing to make a fuss about.
It is necessary to assess the situation and wait and see how it changes. Don't worry too much!)
It's like a bed with rotten legs and a damaged bed frame.
I had to sleep on the ground, and my skin was easily bitten by insects and rats!
The danger is close to your skin!)
I had to sleep on the ground, and my skin was easily bitten by insects and rats!
The danger is close to your skin!)
Justice and rules have been eroded!
Although there have been no major losses yet, there is no distinction between top and bottom, and order is about to be chaotic!
After all, it is not a good thing, it is dangerous!)
Although there have been no major losses yet, there is no distinction between top and bottom, and order is about to be chaotic!
After all, it is not a good thing, it is dangerous!)
The little mouse has climbed to a key position, despising justice and truth, and is dangerous!
The villain comes to power because there are no good measures to deal with, control, and prevent him! Dangerous!)
The villain comes to power because there are no good measures to deal with, control, and prevent him! Dangerous!)
Climbing and striving for some benefits by any means, violating justice and axioms, is dangerous!
It's like a small rat, gnawing at the legs of the bed and crawling towards the bed. There is no distinction between upper and lower, no position of superiority and inferiority. It's dangerous!)
It's like a small rat, gnawing at the legs of the bed and crawling towards the bed. There is no distinction between upper and lower, no position of superiority and inferiority. It's dangerous!)
Hexagra Sequence
Hexagram Note:
Splitting Apart: Represents disintegration, loss, and decay. It advises accepting inevitable changes, releasing what no longer serves, and embracing renewal and regeneration.
Hexagram 23 – Bō (Splitting Apart / Stripping Away)
Mountain over Earth — Gèn above Kūn
Judgment
Bō: It is not favorable to undertake ventures.
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuàn)
Bō means “stripping away.”
The yielding changes the firm.
It is not favorable to undertake ventures, as petty people grow in influence.
Follow the natural course and stop—this is the lesson observed in the image.
The noble one values moderation and observes fullness and emptiness; this is the way of Heaven’s operation.
Commentary on the Image (Xiàng)
“A mountain resting on the earth”—this is Stripping Away.
The upper part is thick to stabilize the lower part,
providing security to the dwelling.
Love,Marriage：
1. Overview of the Bō Hexagram
Name: Bō (剥) — “Peeling” or “Stripping”
Trigram image:
Upper trigram: Gen (艮, Mountain)
Lower trigram: Kun (坤, Earth)
— Mountain above Earth (Mountain on land, “Bō”)
☶ Gen (Mountain) on top symbolizes: stopping, repression, coldness, isolation
☷ Kun (Earth) below symbolizes: softness, bearing, tolerance, forbearance
The mountain stands on earth, but its foundation is gradually eroded and undermined by the soft and yielding earth beneath. This symbolizes structural sinking, foundation depletion, and gradual decline.
2. Core Imagery of Bō Hexagram Corresponding to Emotions
Bō is one of the sixty-four hexagrams with a strong theme of “hidden crisis.” In love and marriage, it symbolizes a state of gradual erosion:
The emotional foundation quietly dissolves (though outwardly it may appear normal)
One or both partners feel suppressed or sacrificed in the relationship
Lack of genuine communication, leading to increasing “silence”
The form of the relationship remains, but emotional support is weakened
👉 Thus, Bō is not an explosive crisis, but a “hidden weakening”—most in need of vigilance but easiest to overlook.
3. Six Key Wisdom Points of Bō in Marriage and Love
✅ 1. Notice signs of the relationship being “stripped”: Prevent emotional exhaustion early
Bō represents layer-by-layer peeling and warns against “chronic depletion.”
🔍 Common signs of emotional erosion:
One party constantly yields or compromises, remaining passive long-term
Fewer arguments, but also little communication, creating a “silent wasteland”
Reduced intimacy, touch, and compliments; only transactional interactions remain
Psychological feelings of isolation or no longer being important
🌿 Coping strategies:
Set a monthly “emotional check-up” conversation to honestly express inner drain and feelings
Intervene early to repair, rather than waiting until irreparable
✅ 2. Learn danger from “stopping”—Gen trigram warns: stop harm, cut losses in time
Gen means “stop,” reminding us to bravely halt harmful behavior when emotional depletion looms:
Stop ineffective communication (blame, cold war, sarcasm)
Stop self-sacrifice and excessive people-pleasing
Stop maintaining a “form-only” or “functional” marriage/partnership
🌿 Recommendations:
Agree with your partner that when either feels tired or wronged, they have the right to say “pause.” This doesn’t mean no love but aims for repair.
Use external help (emotional counseling, elder mediation) to reinforce the authority of this “stop” boundary
✅ 3. Hold onto your original intention, wait for turning points—Kun trigram’s softness teaches endurance without breaking
Bō does not advocate immediate separation but stresses preserving foundations in the low period by being soft, non-confrontational, patient, and waiting for opportunity.
Kun’s wisdom: endure, obey, guard, and nurture through hardship with softness and tolerance to support change.
🌿 Recommendations:
Maintain basic daily order: eating, talking, family care; avoid total shutdown
Give each other space but do not abandon “goodwill to maintain the relationship”
Avoid decisions or harsh words late at night or in impulsive moments
✅ 4. Move from “surface harmony” to “deep repair”: Bō warns against illusions
Many relationships enter a “peaceful erosion phase”: no fighting but also no closeness; to outsiders, all seems fine but inside is numb.
Bō reminds us: don’t be fooled by “surface calm,” but actively initiate deep healing.
🌿 Recommendations:
Have a “deep confession” emotional talk, even if difficult
Use gentle forms like letters, recordings, or meditation to break silence
Actively revive romance: revisit first date place, write a memory book together, review old photos
✅ 5. Refuse to be “the stripper” or “the stripped”: relationships need balance
Bō may also represent one party strongly consuming the other’s emotional resources, creating an asymmetrical “emotional predator” and “hidden victim” dynamic.
🌿 Recommendations:
List each partner’s contributions, feelings, and expectations to avoid one-sidedness
If you are the “stripped,” learn to express needs and set boundaries
If you are the “stripper,” realize you may be draining your partner’s emotional vitality
✅ 6. Wait for reversal and rebuilding: after extreme stripping comes renewal
The next hexagram after Bō is Fù (复, Return, Earth Thunder Return)—after extreme stripping, renewal and revival are possible.
The fifth line of the hexagram says:
“Piercing fish, favored by the palace woman, no disadvantage.”
→ Meaning: Even in bad situations, if one remains soft and follows the path, with patience and discernment, restoration is possible.
🌿 Recommendations:
Set an “observation period” or “revival plan” for the relationship
Do small things consistently to rebuild trust and warmth (e.g., daily sincere greetings)
Don’t expect quick change but gradually reconnect over time
4. Summary: Six Relationship Advice Points from Bō Wisdom
Bō Wisdom Application in Love/Marriage
Notice peeling Detect emotional loss early to avoid numbness/delay
Stop harm Stop fighting, cold wars, mutual depletion
Soft endurance Don’t push in the low phase; keep basic stability
Reflect structure Adjust asymmetry in relationship; rebuild value exchange
Repair roots Return to original love and trust
Wait for turn Believe renewal comes after extreme decline, patiently wait
5. Closing Words
Bō is not the end, but a low point before turning. It teaches us to see the “truth of depletion” in love, and in the darkness, not to give up lightly or hastily destroy, but quietly nurture true feelings and wait for revival.