Hexagram 21 · King Wen sequence
Decisive Clarity
噬嗑 · shì kè
Modern reflection
A firm, fair decision may be needed to remove an obstruction.
Lower trigram: 震 Thunder
Upper trigram: 離 Fire
Historical source
Shih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.
(The trigrams representing) thunder and lightning form Shih Ho. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, framed their penalties with intelligence, and promulgated their laws.
James Legge, 1882, public domain. Historical wording is shown for source transparency, not as a guaranteed prediction.Changing-line passages
- 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.
Ready to build a six-line reading?
Cast a hexagram