Discernment

噬嗑 (shì kè)
Hexagram 21 • Binary: 101001

Trigrams

Upper: Fire

Attribute: clinging
Element: Fire
Direction: South
Family: Middle Daughter

Lower: Thunder

Attribute: Arousing
Element: Wood
Direction: East
Family: Eldest Son

Palace

Xun Palace

Element: Wood
Ruling Trigram: wind

Judgment

Success is found in Discernment. The restrictions of the law bring advantage.

Image

Thunder and lightning: The image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties.

Lines

1

Position 1: Feet in Stocks yang

His feet are fastened in the stocks so that his toes disappear. No blame.

2

Position 2: Biting Through Flesh yin

Bites through tender meat, so that his nose disappears. No blame.

3

Position 3: Gnawing Dried Flesh yang

Bites on old dried meat and strikes something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame.

4

Position 4: Gnawing Dried Bone yin

Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune.

5

Position 5: Gnawing Dried Flesh yin

Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.

6

Position 6: Wearing the Cangue yang

His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that his ears disappear. Misfortune.