Hexagram 21
Biting Through
噬嗑 (Shì Kè)
Fire over Thunder
Hexagram 21 represents decisive action and the removal of obstacles through firm intervention. This hexagram symbolizes the image of biting through an obstruction between the teeth, embodying the necessity of confronting problems directly and applying appropriate force to overcome impediments. Like a judge delivering a verdict, this hexagram teaches that sometimes obstacles must be forcefully removed to restore harmony and proper order. The combination of Thunder below and Fire above creates the dynamic energy needed to break through resistance and establish justice through clear, decisive action and appropriate consequences.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered."
Hexagram 21 represents the powerful principle of removing obstacles through decisive action and the proper application of justice. This hexagram teaches us that when something stands between unity and harmony, it must be addressed directly and firmly. Like biting through a tough piece of meat that prevents the jaws from closing, we sometimes encounter situations where gentle persuasion fails and forceful intervention becomes necessary. The hexagram indicates that success comes through confronting problems head-on, applying appropriate consequences, and not allowing impediments to persist. This is the time for clear judgment, firm decisions, and the courage to take action that restores proper order and removes what blocks progress or harmony.
The reference to administering justice emphasizes that force must be applied with wisdom and fairness, not arbitrarily or excessively. Just as a judge must carefully weigh evidence before rendering a verdict, we must ensure our decisive actions are proportionate, justified, and aimed at restoration rather than revenge. The hexagram promises success when we have the courage to confront obstacles directly while maintaining ethical standards and proper measure in our responses to wrongdoing or impediments.
The Image (大象传)
先王以明罚敕法。
Translation: "Thunder and lightning: the image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties."
The image of thunder and lightning together creates a powerful symbol of natural justice and illuminating force. Lightning provides the clarity to see what must be addressed, while thunder delivers the decisive power to enforce consequences. In hexagram 21, we learn that effective resolution of obstacles requires both clear understanding and firm action working in harmony. The ancient kings understood that laws without enforcement are meaningless, just as enforcement without clear laws is tyranny. This hexagram teaches us to establish clear boundaries, communicate expectations explicitly, and then apply consequences consistently when those boundaries are violated or obstacles persist in blocking progress.
The superior person follows this principle by making standards and expectations crystal clear before taking decisive action. Like lightning illuminating the landscape before thunder shakes the ground, we must first ensure everyone understands what is required, what is forbidden, and what consequences will follow violations. This combination of clarity and firmness creates an environment where justice prevails, obstacles are removed efficiently, and harmony is restored through proper order rather than chaos or weakness.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that his toes disappear. No blame."
The first line represents a minor offense receiving appropriate punishment that prevents further wrongdoing. Like placing someone in stocks for a small transgression, this is a warning that stops the problem before it escalates. The punishment is proportionate and serves as a corrective measure. When you encounter small obstacles or minor infractions, address them immediately with appropriate consequences. This prevents larger problems from developing and teaches important lessons early. There is no blame in taking firm action against small problems before they grow into major impediments.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"Bites through tender meat, so that his nose disappears. No blame."
This line indicates dealing with a situation that is relatively easy to resolve but requires going deeper than expected. Like biting through soft meat with such force that your nose touches the plate, you may need to apply more energy than the obstacle seems to warrant. However, this thoroughness ensures complete resolution. When confronting problems, don't hold back even if they seem minor. Apply sufficient force to completely remove the impediment. Your decisive action, though perhaps seeming excessive to observers, is appropriate and necessary for complete resolution.
Six in the Third Place (六三)
Third line - Yin
"Bites on old dried meat and strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame."
The third line warns of encountering unexpected resistance or discovering that the obstacle is more difficult or unpleasant than anticipated. Like biting into dried meat and finding something toxic, you may face complications when addressing problems. You might experience some embarrassment or setback, but persevere anyway. The situation requires continued effort despite difficulties. Though you may encounter resistance, poison, or unexpected complications, maintain your resolve to bite through the obstacle. The temporary humiliation or difficulty does not constitute failure; it is simply part of the process of removing stubborn impediments.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune."
This line represents facing a particularly tough obstacle that requires special tools and sustained effort. Like gnawing on dried cartilage and needing metal-tipped arrows to penetrate it, you must employ stronger methods and greater persistence. The situation demands awareness of the difficulty ahead and unwavering determination. Recognize that this obstacle will not yield easily. Prepare yourself mentally for a challenging confrontation, gather the necessary resources and tools, and commit to seeing the process through. Your awareness of the difficulty combined with steadfast perseverance will lead to success and valuable rewards.
Six in the Fifth Place (六五)
Fifth line - Yin
"Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame."
The ruler's line indicates successfully overcoming a significant obstacle through careful, measured action while remaining aware of inherent dangers. Like biting through tough dried meat and discovering gold, your persistent effort in confronting difficulties yields valuable rewards. However, maintain constant vigilance even in success. When in positions of authority or responsibility, you must address serious obstacles with both firmness and caution. The situation requires decisive action but also awareness that your power must be wielded carefully. Success comes through balanced application of force, constant awareness of potential dangers, and ethical conduct throughout the process.
Nine at the Top (上九)
Top line - Yang
"His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that his ears disappear. Misfortune."
The top line warns of excessive punishment or the consequences of persistent wrongdoing that has gone too far. Like wearing a cangue so large it covers the ears, this represents either overly harsh consequences or the result of ignoring earlier warnings. If you are administering justice, beware of excessive force that becomes oppressive rather than corrective. If you are the one facing consequences, recognize that continued resistance or wrongdoing has led to severe repercussions. This is a warning against extremes in either direction: being too harsh in removing obstacles or being too stubborn in refusing to yield when you are the obstacle.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In romantic relationships, hexagram 21 indicates the need to address problems directly rather than allowing them to fester. If there are obstacles preventing true intimacy or harmony between partners, this is the time to confront them honestly and decisively. Perhaps unresolved conflicts, bad habits, or external interference has created a barrier between you and your partner. The hexagram advises clear communication about what is unacceptable, followed by firm action to remove these impediments. This might mean having difficult conversations, setting firm boundaries with intrusive family members, or addressing behaviors that damage the relationship. Success comes through honest confrontation combined with fair resolution.
For those experiencing relationship conflicts, hexagram 21 suggests that gentle hints and passive approaches have failed, and more direct intervention is necessary. Like a judge rendering a verdict, you may need to clearly state what must change and what consequences will follow if it doesn't. This is not about being cruel or vindictive, but about establishing clear standards for acceptable behavior within the relationship. If your partner has repeatedly violated trust or boundaries, decisive action is required. The relationship can only move forward once the obstacle is completely removed through honest confrontation and appropriate consequences.
In new relationships, this hexagram warns against ignoring red flags or allowing problematic patterns to establish themselves. Address concerns immediately and directly. If someone's behavior is unacceptable, say so clearly and be prepared to walk away if it continues. The biting through energy supports removing obstacles early before they become entrenched. For singles, this may indicate the need to break through your own barriers to intimacy, such as fear of vulnerability or past relationship trauma. Confront these internal obstacles decisively so they don't prevent future connection and love.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 21 signals a time when obstacles in your career must be confronted directly and removed decisively. Perhaps you face a difficult colleague who undermines team efforts, a persistent problem in your workflow, or a situation where someone is not fulfilling their responsibilities. The hexagram advises clear, firm action rather than continued tolerance. Document the issues, communicate expectations explicitly, and be prepared to enforce consequences if problems persist. This might mean having difficult conversations with supervisors about unfair treatment, addressing underperforming team members directly, or removing yourself from toxic work environments. Success comes through decisive intervention that restores proper order and productivity.
For business owners and managers, hexagram 21 emphasizes the importance of clear policies and consistent enforcement. If employees violate standards or if business practices create obstacles to success, address these issues immediately with appropriate consequences. Like the ancient kings establishing clear laws and penalties, create explicit guidelines for acceptable conduct and performance, then enforce them fairly and consistently. This might mean terminating problematic employees, ending unprofitable partnerships, or discontinuing failing product lines. The key is making decisions based on clear criteria and following through decisively. Hesitation or inconsistent enforcement will only allow problems to grow and undermine your authority and business success.
In career development, this hexagram may indicate the need to break through obstacles blocking your advancement. Perhaps you need to confront a supervisor about promised promotions that haven't materialized, address discrimination or unfair treatment directly, or remove yourself from a position that has no growth potential. The biting through energy supports taking decisive action to remove whatever stands between you and your professional goals. This requires courage to confront uncomfortable situations and the willingness to accept consequences, including potentially leaving a comfortable but limiting position. Your career advances when you refuse to allow obstacles to persist and take firm action to clear your path forward.
Health & Wellness (健康)
In health matters, hexagram 21 indicates the need to address persistent health issues decisively rather than continuing to ignore symptoms or delay treatment. If you have been putting off medical appointments, avoiding necessary procedures, or hoping problems will resolve themselves, this hexagram urges immediate, firm action. Like biting through an obstruction, you must confront health obstacles directly. This might mean finally scheduling that diagnostic test, committing to a treatment plan, or making decisive lifestyle changes that you have been avoiding. The hexagram promises success when you stop procrastinating and take definitive action to remove health impediments, even when the process is uncomfortable or requires significant effort and commitment.
For those struggling with unhealthy habits, hexagram 21 represents the moment to break through denial and take decisive action. If addiction, poor diet, lack of exercise, or other destructive patterns are damaging your health, gentle resolutions and half-hearted attempts have failed. This is the time for firm commitment and possibly seeking professional help or structured programs that provide clear guidelines and accountability. Like applying appropriate punishment to deter wrongdoing, you may need to establish clear consequences for yourself when you violate health commitments. This might include working with a coach, joining a support group, or creating accountability systems that make it harder to continue destructive patterns.
In mental health, this hexagram suggests confronting psychological obstacles that prevent wellbeing. Perhaps you need to address trauma, break through denial about mental health conditions, or remove yourself from situations or relationships that damage your psychological health. The biting through energy supports taking decisive steps like beginning therapy, ending toxic relationships, or making major life changes that prioritize mental wellness. Success comes through honest acknowledgment of problems and firm commitment to treatment or change. Don't allow fear, shame, or inertia to keep you stuck in patterns that undermine your mental health and overall quality of life.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 21 indicates the need to address money problems decisively and remove obstacles preventing financial stability or growth. If debt, overspending, or financial mismanagement has created problems, this is the time for firm intervention and clear consequences. Like a judge rendering a verdict, you must honestly assess your financial situation, identify what is not working, and take decisive action to correct it. This might mean cutting up credit cards, creating a strict budget with real accountability, or seeking professional financial counseling. The hexagram promises success when you stop making excuses, confront financial realities directly, and implement firm measures to remove obstacles to financial health.
For those dealing with financial disputes or fraud, hexagram 21 supports taking legal action or formal measures to resolve the situation. If someone owes you money, has violated a contract, or has engaged in financial wrongdoing that affects you, pursue appropriate legal remedies decisively. Document everything, consult with attorneys or financial advisors, and be prepared to take firm action through proper channels. The biting through energy favors those who seek justice through established systems. Don't allow fear of confrontation or hope that problems will resolve themselves to prevent you from taking necessary legal or formal action to protect your financial interests and recover what is rightfully yours.
In business finance, this hexagram may indicate the need to cut losses decisively, end unprofitable ventures, or remove financial drains on your resources. If certain investments, partnerships, or business lines consistently lose money despite efforts to improve them, bite through your emotional attachment and make the hard decision to divest or discontinue. Like removing a rotten tooth to preserve overall health, sometimes financial wisdom requires cutting away what is not working, even when it is painful or represents past hopes and investments. Success comes through clear-eyed assessment of financial realities and the courage to make tough decisions that restore financial health and redirect resources toward more productive opportunities.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 21 represents a crucial moment in personal development when you must confront and remove internal obstacles that prevent growth and self-realization. Perhaps limiting beliefs, destructive patterns, or unresolved trauma create barriers between who you are and who you could become. This hexagram urges decisive action to bite through these psychological and emotional impediments. This might mean finally addressing childhood wounds through therapy, confronting fears that have held you back, or breaking through denial about aspects of yourself that need change. The process may be uncomfortable, like biting through something tough, but it is necessary for genuine transformation and liberation from patterns that no longer serve your highest good.
For those engaged in spiritual or personal development work, hexagram 21 indicates that gentle approaches and gradual progress have reached their limit. Certain obstacles require more forceful intervention. This might mean intensive therapy, immersive retreats, or other concentrated efforts that break through resistance more powerfully than regular practice. Like lightning illuminating what thunder then shakes loose, you may need moments of intense clarity followed by decisive action to dislodge deeply rooted patterns. Be willing to invest in powerful interventions that create breakthrough rather than incremental change. Sometimes transformation requires biting through layers of protection and resistance to reach the core issues that truly need healing.
In character development, this hexagram emphasizes the importance of establishing clear personal standards and enforcing them consistently with yourself. Like the ancient kings establishing laws with clear penalties, define your values explicitly and create real consequences when you violate them. If you value honesty but catch yourself lying, impose a meaningful consequence. If you commit to discipline but repeatedly fail, establish accountability systems with teeth. Personal growth accelerates when you stop making excuses for behavior that contradicts your values and instead apply firm self-correction. The biting through energy supports removing the gap between your ideals and your actions through decisive self-governance and honest self-confrontation.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing strongly favors decisive action and direct confrontation of obstacles that have persisted too long. This is not a moment for gentle persuasion, patient waiting, or hoping problems will resolve themselves. The universe supports those who take firm action to remove impediments and restore proper order. However, this forceful energy must be applied with wisdom and justice, not arbitrarily or excessively. Before taking decisive action, ensure you have clarity about the situation, that your response is proportionate to the offense or obstacle, and that your goal is restoration of harmony rather than revenge or domination. Like thunder and lightning working together, combine illuminating clarity with decisive power.
The hexagram advises establishing clear standards and expectations before enforcing consequences. Make sure everyone involved understands what is required, what is unacceptable, and what will happen if boundaries are violated. This clarity transforms potentially arbitrary force into legitimate justice. When you do take action, be firm and consistent. Half-measures and inconsistent enforcement will only prolong problems and undermine your authority. Once you have made a decision to remove an obstacle, follow through completely. Don't allow sympathy, fear of confrontation, or hope for miraculous change to prevent you from doing what is necessary. Success requires both the courage to act and the wisdom to act justly.
Remember that the goal of biting through is not destruction but restoration of harmony and proper function. Like removing food stuck between teeth allows the jaw to close properly, removing obstacles allows natural order and flow to resume. After taking decisive action, focus on healing and moving forward rather than dwelling on the conflict or punishment. The biting through is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Once the obstacle is removed, redirect your energy toward building, creating, and nurturing what can now flourish in the cleared space. Justice serves life, and your decisive actions should ultimately support growth, harmony, and the highest good for all involved.