屯 → 剝
Hexagram 3: Difficulty at the Beginning → Hexagram 23: Splitting Apart
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 1, 5, 6).
Line 1
初九 磐桓。利居貞。利建侯。
Nine at the beginning means: Hesitation and hindrance. It furthers one to remain persevering. It furthers one to appoint helpers.
Line 5
九五 屯其膏。小貞吉。大貞凶。
Nine in the fifth place means: Difficulties in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune. Great perseverance brings misfortune.
Line 6
上六 乘馬班如。泣血漣如。
Six at the top means: Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
天官列宿，五神共舍。宮闕光堅，君安其居。
The celestial officials in their lodging-stars, five spirits sharing the palace. The halls of heaven shine strong and firm; the lord is at peace in his dwelling.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Clouds and thunder yield to mountain resting upon earth: initial difficulty resolves into the paradox of Splitting Apart. The celestial officials and constellations are arrayed, and the five spirits share their dwelling. The palace gates shine firm and strong, and the ruler rests secure in his abode. The verse describes cosmic and political stability, an auspicious scene where heavenly order mirrors earthly security. Yet the target hexagram, Splitting Apart, warns of erosion from below. From Difficulty at the Beginning to Splitting Apart, the splendid tableau conceals a danger: the mountain sits upon soft earth, and what appears impregnable may be undermined. The ruler's security is real but precarious, the palace gleams while its foundations slowly give way.
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