噬嗑
Hexagram 21 · 噬嗑
Upper trigram: 離 · Lower trigram: 震
Shi He (Biting Through): the hexagram of removing an obstruction. Clarify the facts, apply fair rules, and address what blocks cooperation.
The image
Fire stands above thunder, joining illumination with decisive movement. The shape suggests a mouth with something lodged between its teeth. Shi He means biting through to bring the jaws together. Its image concerns removing a real obstruction through clear understanding and proportionate action.
Judgment
亨。利用獄。
Flourishing. It is beneficial to administer justice.
The commentary combines movement and clarity, like thunder and lightning revealing one another. A recurring workplace violation often needs an evidence-based decision rather than another vague request for cooperation.
Great Image
雷電噬嗑；先王以明罰敕法。
Thunder and lightning: Biting Through. The former kings accordingly made penalties clear and put laws in order.
Fair enforcement depends on rules people can understand beforehand. A shared studio can prevent resentment by stating booking limits and consequences clearly before problems arise.
Line texts
Line 1 · 初九
屨校滅趾，无咎。
Feet placed in the stocks, the toes disappear from view. No blame.
Nine in the first place is yang checked before harmful movement continues. The Small Image emphasizes stopping action, like an early, proportionate warning that interrupts repeated misuse of shared equipment.
Line 2 · 六二
噬膚滅鼻，无咎。
Biting through soft flesh, the nose disappears into it. No blame.
Six in the second place is central yin sitting above firm yang resistance. The Small Image notes this pressure, like a fair-minded coordinator needing unusual determination to enforce an otherwise straightforward rule.
Line 3 · 六三
噬腊肉，遇毒；小吝，无咎。
Biting dried meat, one encounters poison. A little humiliation, but no blame.
Six in the third place is yin out of position facing an unpleasant obstacle. The Small Image highlights that mismatch, like a junior supervisor meeting resentment while trying to resolve a long-neglected complaint.
Line 4 · 九四
噬乾胏，得金矢，利艱貞，吉。
Biting dried meat with bone, one finds a metal arrow. Constancy through difficulty is beneficial. Good fortune.
Nine in the fourth place brings yang firmness to a difficult case. The Small Image says clarity is not complete, like an investigator keeping to evidence while an important detail remains unresolved.
Line 5 · 六五
噬乾肉，得黃金，貞厲，无咎。
Biting dried meat, one finds yellow metal. Constancy amid danger. No blame.
Six in the fifth place is central yin making a responsible judgment. The Small Image credits finding the appropriate measure, like a manager applying a fair consequence while remaining aware of its seriousness.
Line 6 · 上九
何校滅耳，凶。
Bearing the wooden cangue, the ears disappear from view. Misfortune.
Nine at the top is yang reaching the extreme of failed correction. The Small Image associates it with not listening clearly, like repeatedly ignoring explicit feedback until working relationships become severely restricted.
When asking about
Career
A persistent obstruction often needs a clear decision. Establish facts and apply agreed procedures consistently.
Love
An unresolved issue can keep closeness from developing. Discuss the specific behavior and agree on fair boundaries.
Money
Unclear charges or obligations deserve direct examination. Organize the records before challenging an error.
Home
Household rules tend to work better when expectations are explicit. Use proportionate responses rather than accumulated anger.
Study
A difficult concept may block later understanding. Isolate it and work through the steps carefully.
Health
Address habits that repeatedly disrupt rest and daily rhythm. See a doctor for any health concern.
Advice
Identify the obstruction before applying force. Combine clear evidence with fair procedure, and keep correction proportionate to the problem.
Related hexagrams
Weighing a decision? Cast a hexagram for your own question.
Cast a hexagramReference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.