I-Ching Hexagram 21
噬嗑 Biting Through
Also known as Cutting Through
Something is stuck between the teeth — an obstacle that must be forcibly removed. The hexagram is about the decisive application of justice, law, or honest confrontation.
biting through · decision · justice
The Story
A magistrate was handed a case that had been passed between courts for seven years. Every former magistrate had written the same careful non-decision. The new magistrate read the file once, summoned both parties, and in an hour's hearing cut through every evasion. The guilty was sentenced; the innocent, released. "Why did none of us do this?" his clerks asked. "Because each of you preferred to be admired by both sides," he said. "There are times for gentleness. This was not one of them." Justice sometimes requires the tooth, and the wise do not pretend otherwise.
The Judgment
Success. It is favorable to let justice be administered.
The Image
Thunder and lightning: the image of biting through. Thus the kings of old made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties.
Interpretation
Something is stuck between the teeth — an obstacle that must be forcibly removed. The hexagram is about the decisive application of justice, law, or honest confrontation. Firmness is required, but it must be clear-eyed and proportionate.
Trigrams
The Six Lines
- First (Bottom) His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that his toes disappear. No blame. A minor restraint at the start prevents greater crime.
- Second Bites through tender meat, so that his nose disappears. No blame. Strong correction against a soft obstacle; zeal overshoots but is forgiven.
- Third Bites on old dried meat and strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame. Reopening an old case; the task is unpleasant but necessary.
- Fourth Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune. A hard case yields something valuable to the persistent.
- Fifth Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger, no blame. The clean exercise of judgment at the centre; reward for care.
- Sixth (Top) His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that his ears disappear. Misfortune. One who will not hear correction; punishment now heavy.