I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 23 with Changing Lines 1, 3, 4, 5 to Hexagram 13

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 23.1.3.4.5 -> 13

Young Yang Old Yin Old Yin Old Yin Young Yin Old Yin

23. Stripping Away

Yang Yang Yang Yang Yin Yang

13. Union of People

23. Stripping Away (剝 Bō)

Trigrams

Above
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
Below
☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive

The Symbolism of Hexagram 23

Hexagram 剝 (Bō) describes the removal of supporting layers. What is above loses its foundation as what is below is gradually stripped away.

Hexagram 23 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
剝，不利有攸往。
(Bō, bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
English Translation:
"Stripping away. It is not favorable to proceed."

The structure is being undermined from below. Advancement depends on a foundation that is no longer secure.

Action does not resolve this condition. The appropriate response is to recognize the loss of support and refrain from forward movement.

Hexagram 23 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
山附於地，剝。上以厚下，安宅。
(Shān fù yú dì, bō. Shàng yǐ hòu xià, ān zhái.)
English Translation:
"The mountain rests against the earth: stripping away. The superior person secures the base and stabilizes the dwelling."

The mountain depends entirely on the earth beneath it. When the base erodes, what is above cannot stand.

The only possible response is to reinforce what remains below. Stability comes from restoring or preserving the foundation.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
剝牀以足，蔑貞凶。
(Bō chuáng yǐ zú, miè zhēn xiōng.)
English Translation:
"The bed is stripped at its legs. Correct alignment results in an unfavorable outcome."

The lowest support is removed first. The structure begins to fail at its base.

Persisting as if nothing has changed leads directly to collapse.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
剝之无咎。
(Bō zhī wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"Stripping occurs. No error."

At this stage, the process is recognized as inevitable. There is no error in allowing it to proceed.

Blame does not arise when one does not resist what cannot be preserved.

Line 4 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
剝牀以膚，凶。
(Bō chuáng yǐ fū, xiōng.)
English Translation:
"The bed is stripped to its surface. Unfavorable outcome."

The stripping has reached the outermost layer. Nothing remains beneath to provide support.

At this point, collapse is unavoidable.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
貫魚以宮人寵，无不利。
(Guàn yú yǐ gōng rén chǒng, wú bù lì.)
English Translation:
"Fish are threaded in sequence. Favor is distributed through those within. Nothing is unfavorable."

Order is reintroduced through controlled distribution. Even within decline, structure can be maintained locally.

Proper alignment and coordination allow what remains to function effectively.

Changing to:

13. Union of People (同人 Tóng Rén)

Trigrams

Above
☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative
Below
☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance

The Symbolism of Hexagram 13

Hexagram 同人 (Tóng Rén) describes alignment among people based on what is shared and visible. It is not mere closeness, but union formed in the open through recognition of a common principle.

Hexagram 13 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
同人于野，亨。利涉大川，利君子贞。
(Tóng rén yú yě, hēng. Lì shè dà chuān, lì jūn zǐ zhēn.)
English Translation:
"Union with people in the open. Smooth progress. It is favorable to undertake a major transition. It is favorable for the superior person to remain correctly aligned."

True alignment arises in what is open and shared, not confined to private or exclusive circles. When union is based on a clear common ground, movement becomes possible even across difficulty.

Constancy ensures that this union does not fragment. Without a stable principle, association becomes unstable or partial.

Hexagram 13 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
天火同人。君子以类族辨物。
(Tiān huǒ tóng rén. Jūn zǐ yǐ lèi zú biàn wù.)
English Translation:
"Heaven and fire move together: union of people. The superior person distinguishes kinds and groups things according to their nature."

Fire illuminates upward toward heaven, making what is shared visible. Union is formed through clarity, not through confusion or sameness.

The superior person does not erase differences but understands them, grouping and relating things appropriately. Through this, true alignment becomes possible.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team