Hexagram 21 · 火雷噬嗑

Biting Through

Fire · Xun palace

Decisive action on a clear obstruction.

Meaning

Thunder and lightning together: a forceful, clarifying event. Biting Through describes the moment when an obstruction must be removed rather than accommodated.

Decision Framework

Remove the obstacle; be firm and fair.

Decision Guidance

Biting Through is a strong reading. It appears when a blockage has become clear enough that accommodating it is no longer the cheaper option, and something has to be cut through directly.

The requirement is proportionality and clean procedure. The classical text ties success to applying the right measure of force to the right target after establishing the facts, in the way a legal judgment must fit the offence. Be decisive, but be accurate; and once the obstacle is removed, return to ordinary conduct rather than staying in a punitive mode.

Judgment — Classical Text

亨。利用狱。

EN Success. It is favourable to administer justice.

The Six Lines — Classical Text

初九：屦校灭趾，无咎。
EN Initial nine: his foot is bound in the stocks until the toes are hidden — no blame.
六二：噬肤灭鼻，无咎。
EN Six in the second: biting through soft flesh to the nose — no blame.
六三：噬腊肉，遇毒。
EN Six in the third: biting dried meat and meeting poison — small regret, no blame.
九四：噬干胏，得金矢。
EN Nine in the fourth: biting dried gristle and finding a metal arrow — perseverance brings good fortune.
六五：噬干肉，得黄金。
EN Six in the fifth: biting dried meat and finding yellow gold — perseverance in danger brings no blame.
上九：何校灭耳，凶。
EN Topmost nine: the cangue covers the ears — misfortune.

Keywords

I Ching hexagram 21, Biting Through hexagram, Shi He hexagram meaning, hexagram for decisive action