Splitting Apart
Mountain over earth, the image of an old order disintegrating from below.
Splitting apart. It does not further to undertake anything.
The mountain rests on earth, the image of splitting apart. Those above can secure their position only by giving generously to those below.
In plain terms: Hexagram 23, "Splitting Apart", is one of the 64 symbols in the I Ching — an ancient Chinese book you consult for guidance, a bit like asking a wise advisor. Its core message: mountain over earth, the image of an old order disintegrating from below..
Modern Interpretation
A splitting hexagram about the late stage of an old order disintegrating. Five yin lines push up against a single yang line at the top; the structure cannot hold. The classical counsel during such times is not to undertake new ventures, to consolidate what can be saved, and to give generously downward to preserve the relationships that survive the disintegration. In modern terms this is the late stage decline of a company, marriage, or institution; the right action is preservation of what has worth, not ambitious new investment.
Application by Life Domain
Hold what is real and let the rest go. Forced repair of a structure that wants to dissolve makes the eventual landing harder.
Do not launch new projects now. Protect cash, key people, and the few customers who genuinely benefit. Prepare for the next cycle.
No. Do not undertake. Conserve.
Practice the discipline of preserving without grasping. Some things end. The end is part of the cycle.
The Trigrams of This Hexagram
Upper: Gen (艮)
Mountain, Keeping Still, stillness and limit. In Five Element terms: Yang Earth.
Lower: Kun (坤)
Earth, the Receptive, pure receptivity. In Five Element terms: Yin Earth.
Other Hexagrams
Browse other hexagrams in the I Ching sequence.