Po / Splitting Apart
above:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain
below:K'un The Receptive, Earth
Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolizes) it will
not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction
whatever.
Overall Meaning
Collapse, splitting apart, the symbol of dispersion
Po is the symbol of falling or causing to fall, and may be applied, both in the natural and political world, to the process of decay, or that of overthrow. The figure consists of five divided lines, and one undivided, which last thus becomes the prominent and principal line in the figure. Decay or overthrow has begun at the bottom of it, and crept up to the top. The hexagram is that of the ninth month, when the beauty and glory of summer have disappeared, and the year is ready to fall into the arms of sterile winter. In the political world, small men have gradually displaced good men and great, till but one remains; and the lesson for him is to wait. The power operating against him is too strong; but the fashion of political life passes away. If he wait, a change for the better will shortly appear.