21 · Shì Kè · Biting Through
震 Thunder below, 離 Fire above
The JudgmentShih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.
Line 1The first NINE, undivided, shows one with his feet in the stocks and deprived of his toes. There will be no error.
Line 2The second SIX, divided, shows one biting through the soft flesh, and (going on to) bite off the nose. There will be no error.
Line 3The third SIX, divided, shows one gnawing dried flesh, and meeting with what is disagreeable. There will be occasion for some small regret, but no (great) error.
Line 4The fourth NINE, undivided, shows one gnawing the flesh dried on the bone, and getting the pledges of money and arrows. It will be advantageous to him to realise the difficulty of his task and be firm,--in which case there will be good fortune.
Line 5The fifth SIX, divided, shows one gnawing at dried flesh, and finding the yellow gold. Let him be firm and correct, realising the peril (of his position). There will be no error.
Line 6The sixth NINE, undivided, shows one wearing the cangue, and deprived of his cars. There will be evil.
— James Legge, 1882
Text: James Legge's 1882 translation (public domain), lightly presented. Our own reading of each hexagram is being written.