21 · Biting Through (SHÌ KÈ)
Biting Through describes an obstruction lodged in the middle that must be decisively cleared. It joins clarity with action: rules must be clear and correction proportionate.
The judgment
Biting Through: success. Favourable to use legal proceedings.
What blocks the way should not remain vague or delayed. Clear process restores passage.
Original Chinese text
噬嗑，亨。利用獄。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — Wear the restraint; the toes are covered. No blame.
Original Chinese
履校滅趾，無咎。
- 六二 · Line 2 — Bite through the skin; the nose is covered. No blame.
Original Chinese
噬膚滅鼻，無咎。
- 六三 · Line 3 — Bite preserved meat and meet poison. Small regret, no blame.
Original Chinese
噬臘肉，遇毒。小吝，無咎。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Bite through dried gristle; obtain a metal arrow. Favourable in difficult steadfastness: good fortune.
Original Chinese
噬乾胏，得金矢，利艱貞，吉。
- 六五 · Line 5 — Bite dried meat; obtain yellow gold. Steadfastness brings danger, no blame.
Original Chinese
噬乾肉，得黃金，貞厲，無咎。
- 上九 · Line 6 — Carry the restraint; the ears are covered. Ominous.
Original Chinese
何校滅耳，凶。