21. Shi Ke | Biting Through
- Line 1 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
噬嗑：亨。利用狱。
Translation: 噬嗑 / Biting Through: Draft rendering: 亨。利用狱。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Shi Ke (Biting Through), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
初九：屦校灭趾，无咎。
Translation: First Nine: 屦校灭趾，no blame。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
六二：噬肤灭鼻，无咎。
Translation: Second Six: 噬肤灭鼻，no blame。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
六三：噬腊肉，遇毒；小吝，无咎。
Translation: Third Six: 噬腊肉，遇毒；小regret or difficulty，no blame。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
九四：噬乾胏，得金矢。利艰，贞吉。
Translation: Fourth Nine: 噬乾胏，得金矢。利艰，uprightness is auspicious。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
六五：噬乾肉，得黄金。贞厉，无咎。
Translation: Fifth Six: 噬乾肉，得黄金。uprightness still requires vigilance，no blame。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “danger” calls for vigilance.
上九：何校灭耳，凶。
Translation: Top Nine: 何校灭耳，misfortune。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “misfortune” marks serious risk.