21 · 噬嗑

Hexagram 21, 噬嗑. Original Chinese judgment: 亨。利用獄。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

亨。利用獄。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初九：屨校滅趾，无咎。
  2. 六二：噬膚滅鼻，无咎。
  3. 六三：噬臘肉，遇毒；小吝，无咎。
  4. 九四：噬乾胏，得金矢，利艱貞，吉。
  5. 六五：噬乾肉，得黃金，貞厲，无咎。
  6. 上九：何校滅耳，凶。

Tuan commentary

頤中有物，曰噬嗑，噬嗑而亨。剛柔分，動而明，雷電合而章。柔得中而上行，雖不當位，利用獄也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 噬嗑

Great Image commentary

雷電噬嗑；先王以明罰敕法。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 屨校滅趾，不行也。
  2. 噬膚滅鼻，乘剛也。
  3. 遇毒，位不當也。
  4. 利艱貞吉，未光也。
  5. 貞厲无咎，得當也。
  6. 何校滅耳，聰不明也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Shi He as biting through an obstruction to restore union. Movement below and clarity above require decisive authority, discernment and moderation in handling obstacles, hence the image of benefit in administering justice.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. At the beginning, the fault is small. Mild discipline promptly stops its development toward wrongdoing, like foot restraints injuring the toes and preventing further movement; thus no blame.
  2. Centered correctness in the second yin line makes the task easy, like biting tender flesh. Yet yielding strength rides firmness, so even an easy task entails injury; ultimately there is no blame.
  3. Yielding yin in the third line lacks centered correctness. Facing resistance is like biting tough dried meat and encountering poison. Though there is some humiliation, fulfilling the responsibility can still be without blame.
  4. Firmness in a yielding position in the fourth line has the conditions to handle obstacles but faces a harder object. Recognize the difficulty and maintain correctness for auspiciousness.
  5. Yielding strength at the honored center in the fifth line can handle obstacles convincingly. Steadfast correctness and vigilance are still required to avoid blame.
  6. The top yang line occupies extreme wrongdoing and grave guilt, like a heavy cangue covering the ears. Earlier failure to listen clearly has reached an extreme, losing the chance for timely correction; hence inauspiciousness.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Shi He uses biting through an obstruction in the mouth so it can close again as its image. Problems disrupting order require decisive action, clear judgment and moderation; the classical text therefore connects this image with penal justice.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. While a fault is still small, timely mild restraint can stop further wrongdoing and avoid greater faults.
  2. The problem is comparatively easy, but the position is under pressure. Even success may involve some injury.
  3. Ability and position are insufficient, and a stubborn problem is like encountering poison when biting dried meat. Despite the difficulty, the responsibility remains.
  4. There is ability to handle the obstruction, but the object is hard. Recognize the difficulty, remain correct and persevere.
  5. Handle the problem from a central position so others can trust the judgment. Firm correctness and vigilance remain necessary.
  6. Faults have accumulated to an extreme, like heavy restraints covering the ears. Long refusal to hear advice has missed the chance to correct them.

Read the source