Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
When a structure weakens, protect its foundations. Let go of what no longer holds.
This is Fatefold’s original reflective interpretation, not a word-for-word translation or a classical prediction about a modern question.
Classical line statements · bottom to top
01
初六 剝床以足，蔑貞，凶。
02
六二 剝床以辨，蔑貞，凶。
03
六三 剝之无咎。
04
六四 剝床以膚，凶。
05
六五 貫魚，以宮人寵，无不利。
06
上九 碩果不食，君子得輿，小人剝廬。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Kun · Earth; the upper is Gen · Mountain. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. When a structure weakens, protect its foundations. Let go of what no longer holds.
Tuan commentary · reading the judgment
剝，剝也，柔變剛也。不利有攸往，小人長也。順而止之，觀象也。君子尚消息盈虛，天行也。
The Tuan discusses the judgment through polarity, position and timing. Its conditions belong with the judgment; an isolated favorable or unfavorable word does not settle a whole situation.
Great Image · from pattern to conduct
山附于地，剝。上以厚下安宅。
The Great Image turns Splitting Apart into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to splitting apart fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初六 · 1
剝床以足，蔑貞，凶。
《小象》：剝床以足，以滅下也。
Damage begins in a foundation and needs attention.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
六二 · 2
剝床以辨，蔑貞，凶。
《小象》：剝床以辨，未有與也。
Continuing damage further weakens support.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
六三 · 3
剝之无咎。
《小象》：剝之无咎，失上下也。
Disengage from a harmful process of deterioration.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
六四 · 4
剝床以膚，凶。
《小象》：剝床以膚，切近災也。
Damage has come close; protect essential conditions.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
六五 · 5
貫魚，以宮人寵，无不利。
《小象》：以宮人寵，終无尤也。
Order relationships through appropriate support.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上九 · 6
碩果不食，君子得輿，小人剝廬。
《小象》：君子得輿，民所載也，小人剝廬，終不可用也。
A remaining fruit preserves renewal; conduct determines its use.
The top line ends this pattern; consider excess, closure and a next stage.
Relate it to your question
Separate known facts, unconfirmed information and available actions. Which part of this symbol fits, and which does not?
