Hexagram N°21

噬嗑

Biting Through

Mordre au Travers

Shì Kè

Upper trigram

Fire

Lower trigram

Thunder

The Judgment

Biting Through has success. It is advantageous to let justice be administered.

The Image

Thunder and lightning: the image of Biting Through. Thus the ancient kings made penalties clear and promulgated laws.

Meaning

Decisive action, justice, resolution of obstacles. An obstacle must be cut through with firmness and fairness.

The six lines

Line 1 (bottom)

His feet are caught in the stocks so that his toes disappear. No blame.

Line 2

Biting into tender meat so that the nose disappears. No blame.

Line 3

Biting into old dried meat and encountering something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame.

Line 4

Biting into dried meat on the bone and finding a metal arrow. It is advantageous to be aware of the difficulty and to be persevering. Good fortune.

Line 5

Biting into lean dried meat and finding yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.

Line 6 (top)

His neck is caught in the wooden cangue so that his ears disappear. Misfortune.