ChineseStudy

21. Shi Ke | Biting Through

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English translation

Shi Ke / Biting Through: Biting through is successful; legal process is to be used.

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.

First Nine: The sole is worn and the toe may be ruined, yet there is no blame.

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.

Second Six: Biting skin and losing the nose carries no blame.

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.

Third Six: Biting preserved meat meets poison; there is slight regret, but no blame.

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.

Fourth Nine: Biting the dried flesh wins a golden arrow. Difficulty is beneficial, and steadfastness is auspicious.

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.

Fifth Six: Biting dried flesh gains gold. Steadfastness faces danger, but there is no blame.

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.

Top Nine: If one goes so far as to destroy the ear, this is inauspicious.

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.

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