Tinh Menh Do
Hexagram No. 21 ䷔

Biting Through (Shike)

Symbolizes unity, law enforcement, punishment of bad guys and removing obstacles that are separating unity.

Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5
Line 6

6-Line Structure

I Ching Interpretation

Symbolism & Structure

The Hexagram Devouring Hap has the Lower monster being Chan (Thunder/Dong), the Upper monster being Ly (Fire/Clear). The hexagram image resembles an open mouth, but in the middle there is an obstacle (the 4 Yang line) that prevents the teeth from closing. If you want your teeth to touch each other (unified), you must bite off that obstacle. The Ly above is of wisdom, the Chan below is of strong action. This is a combination of thorough understanding and fierce execution.

Philosophy & Virtues

The philosophy of the Phap Hap hexagram teaches: 'Divine Hap, hanh, take advantage of hell'. When there is separation, dispute or evil running rampant, the use of law (jail) is necessary to restore order. However, punishment must come with wisdom. If there is only Chan (violence) but lacks Ly (light of justice), it will lead to injustice. On the contrary, if there is only Ly (understanding) but lacks Chan (action), bad people will ignore the law. Justice can only be achieved when evil is rooted out.

Line by Line Analysis

1st Line

Hao So Cuu: 'The Chu father destroys the thread, there is no cure'. Legs were shackled, toes were injured. This is a light punishment for first-time offenders, serving as a warning so they can be afraid and turn around. No major errors.

2nd Line

Hao Luc Nhi: 'If you are hungry, you will be free from jealousy'. Bite into the soft meat until it covers your nose. Execute punishment easily and thoroughly on the clearly guilty. The toughness at this time is right.

3rd Line

Hao Luc Tam: 'Eating meat, poisoning; petty, worthless'. Biting into dried meat is poisonous. Encountering stubborn subjects or complicated situations makes the executor uncomfortable and a little embarrassed, but it is not a fault.

4th Line

Hao Cuu Tu: 'If you cultivate the liver, you will gain the golden magic; profit and deceit, sand'. Bite into dry boned meat and get a golden arrow. Encountering the biggest obstacles requires perseverance and is as tough as metal. If you maintain integrity, you will achieve great success.

5th Line

Hao Luc Ngu: 'Eating flesh and blood, gaining gold; virginal, immaculate'. Bite into the dried meat and you will get pure gold. In a leadership position, executing justice honestly, even though it is dangerous, will find the optimal solution.

6th Line

Hao Thuong Cuu: 'The effect is to destroy the ear, it is evil'. Wearing shackles that cover your ears. Warning to those who stubbornly refuse to listen to advice, crimes have piled up to the point of being irreversible, and the end result will be a terrible crime.

General Discussion

The Phai Hap hexagram reminds: There is no lasting unity if we continue to ignore the ulcers that exist in the system.

Divination & Guidance

Work & Affairs

There are obstacles or hidden saboteurs. You must resolve it decisively and cannot compromise. If it is a contract dispute, use the law as a fulcrum.

Morning Advice

A day to face the difficult problems you've been avoiding. Let's 'bite' through this mess with decisiveness. Don't let things get messy.

Love & Relationships

The relationship is facing external barriers or interference from a third party. Frankness is needed to clarify the issue. Ambiguity will only make both of you suffer more.

Dau Nam

A year of discipline. You will have to act as a conflict resolver or take drastic measures to put things in order.

Career & Success

The work environment has many strict rules. You may encounter legal or administrative problems. Please prepare as transparent a profile as possible.

Wealth & Business

Money is stuck due to disputes or debts that have not been recovered. You need to use tougher measures to reclaim your legitimate rights.

Health & Well-being

Attention should be paid to diseases of the mouth, throat or problems related to the obstructed digestive system. Minor surgical intervention may be required.

Luu Y Dac Biet

When practicing discipline (Phe Hap), remember to 'achieve gold' (division 5), that is, maintain a righteous mind. Don't overdo it because of personal anger, leading to injustice.

Strategic Insights

Risk Analysis

The risks of the Phap Hap hexagram are cruelty and abuse of power. If you act only based on thunder (violence) without light (reason), you will become a dictator instead of a person who enforces justice.

Strategy

If you do the opposite (Weakness, ignoring mistakes): Obstacles will get bigger and bigger and will eventually destroy the entire system. The Phap Hap hexagram teaches that 'mercy without morality' is a sin.

Previous No. 20: Contemplation (Guan) Next No. 22: Grace (Bi)
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