What is Hexagram 21, Biting Through?
Hexagram 21, Biting Through (噬嗑 Shì Kè), is built from Fire (離 Lí) over Thunder (震 Zhèn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as decisiveness, justice, obstacles. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 21 is built from Fire (離 Lí) over Thunder (震 Zhèn).
- Its central themes, decisiveness, justice, obstacles, confrontation, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Carnelian as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered.
The Image
Thunder and lightning: the image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
Thunder and lightning together, decisive, clarifying force. Something in your situation needs to be cut through. An obstacle stands between the two parts of your life that need to meet, and the only way forward is to bite through it. This may mean confrontation, a difficult conversation, or a decisive action you've been avoiding. The I-Ching says: do it. But do it with justice, not cruelty.
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“One's feet are fastened in the stocks, so that the toes disappear. No blame.”
Line 2
“Bites through tender meat, so that the nose disappears. No blame.”
Line 3
“Bites on old dried meat and strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame.”
Line 4
“Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune.”
Line 5
“Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.”
Line 6 (top)
“One's neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that the ears disappear. Misfortune.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 21
Carnelian
Hold Carnelian while meditating on Biting Through. Its energy resonates with the themes of decisiveness, justice, obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 21 (Biting Through) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 21, Biting Through (噬嗑 Shì Kè), is read through Fire (離 Lí) over Thunder (震 Zhèn). The classical sources describe its themes as decisiveness, justice, obstacles. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for Biting Through?
The Judgment reads: "Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for Biting Through?
The Image reads: "Thunder and lightning: the image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 21?
Carnelian is the traditional pairing for Biting Through. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 21 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
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