Hexagram 21 of the IChing – Gnawing Bite

Hexagram 21 of the Yi Jing Gnawing Bite, is composed of the upper trigram ☲離 Li (Fire, the younger daughter) and the lower trigram ☳震 Zhen (Thunder, the eldest son).

Hexagram 21 of the Yi Jing, known as Gnawing Bite or 火雷噬嗑 (Huǒ Léi Shì Kè) in Chinese, is composed of the upper trigram ☲離 (Li – Fire, the younger daughter) and the lower trigram ☳震 (Zhen – Thunder, the eldest son). This hexagram symbolizes active intervention and the use of vigorous measures to restore harmony and resolve conflicts. It represents a moment where decisive action is necessary to address obstacles or challenges.

Jia Zi Combination:

Hexagram 21 is associated with Yi Chou (乙丑), the 2nd combination of the sexagesimal cycle:

  • 乙 (Yi) represents Yin Wood, the celestial stem.
  • 丑 (Chou) represents the Ox, the terrestrial branch.

Interpretation of the Hexagram’s Structure:

The opposite hexagram of 21 is Hexagram 48 – Jing (井), meaning "The Well." This is derived by replacing the Yang lines with Yin lines and vice versa.

Opposite Hexagram:

  • The opposite hexagram of 21 is Hexagram 48 – Jing (井), meaning “The Well.” This is derived by replacing the Yang lines with Yin lines and vice versa.
The inverted hexagram, which provides information on the origin of the situation, is Hexagram 55 – Feng (豐), meaning "Abundance." This is obtained by swapping the positions of the two trigrams.

Inverted Hexagram:

  • The inverted hexagram, which provides information on the origin of the situation, is Hexagram 55 – Feng (豐), meaning “Abundance.” This is obtained by swapping the positions of the two trigrams.
The nuclear hexagram, representing the core of the issue, is Hexagram 39 – Jian (蹇), meaning "The Obstacle." This is formed by using the four central lines of the hexagram to create two new trigrams.

Nuclear Hexagram:

  • The nuclear hexagram, representing the core of the issue, is Hexagram 39 – Jian (蹇), meaning “The Obstacle.” This is formed by using the four central lines of the hexagram to create two new trigrams.

Mutant Hexagram (Derived):

When a line in Hexagram 21 mutates, it gives rise to a new hexagram, indicating how the situation may evolve:

  • Line 6 mutates to form Hexagram 51
  • Line 5 mutates to form Hexagram 25
  • Line 4 mutates to form Hexagram 27
  • Line 3 mutates to form Hexagram 30
  • Line 2 mutates to form Hexagram 38
  • Line 1 mutates to form Hexagram 35
Hexagram 21 is associated with the Xun (Wood) family and represents generation 5: Subject is placed on the fifth line. Object is placed on the second line. Six Relatives: Each line of the hexagram corresponds to one of the six relatives, reflecting different aspects of the querent's life: 6th line: 巳 (si) Fire – Children 5th line: 未 (wei) Earth – Wealth 4th line: 酉 (you) Metal – Officer 3rd line: 辰 (chen) Earth – Wealth 2nd line: 寅 (yin) Wood – Brothers 1st line: 子 (zi) Water – Parents

Taoist Yi Jing Wen Wang Gua Interpretation:

In the Taoist interpretation following the Wen Wang Gua (Liu Yao) method, Hexagram 21 is associated with the Xun (Wood) family and represents generation 5:

  • Subject is placed on the fifth line.
  • Object is placed on the second line.

Six Relatives: Each line of the hexagram corresponds to one of the six relatives, reflecting different aspects of the querent’s life:

  • 6th line: 巳 (si) Fire – Children
  • 5th line: 未 (wei) Earth – Wealth
  • 4th line: 酉 (you) Metal – Officer
  • 3rd line: 辰 (chen) Earth – Wealth
  • 2nd line: 寅 (yin) Wood – Brothers
  • 1st line: 子 (zi) Water – Parents