---
title: 火雷噬嗑 — Biting Through (Hexagram 21)
lang: en
canonical: https://ekidan.ai/library/21
alternates:
  - ja: https://ekidan.ai/ja/library/21
  - zh-Hant: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/21
  - zh-TW: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/21
  - zh-HK: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/21
source: 高島易断 (Takashima Ekidan), public-domain 1893 English and 1901 Chinese editions
provider: ekidan.ai — AI-assisted I Ching reading grounded in 88 source-verified historical Takashima cases
license: Classical source text is public domain. This structured edition and its modern commentary are © ICHING LLC, ekidan.ai. Attribution requested when quoted.
---

# 火雷噬嗑 · Biting Through — Hexagram 21

Hexagram 21 of the I Ching is 火雷噬嗑 (Biting Through). Biting Through — something in the mouth to be chewed away. A time to break through obstacles. Useful in legal matters. Do not yield to sentiment; rule decisively.

## Work / Relationships / Health

- **Work**: Clear blockages and close deals.
- **Relationships**: Speak frankly to dissolve misunderstandings.
- **Health**: Teeth, mouth, digestion.

## Structure

- Number: 21
- Name: 火雷噬嗑
- English: Biting Through
- Romaji: ka-rai-zeigō
- Pinyin: shì kè
- Upper: 火 (Fire)
- Lower: 雷 (Thunder)
- Lines (top to bottom):

```text
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
```

## Questions about this hexagram

### What does hexagram 21 (火雷噬嗑) mean?

Biting Through — something in the mouth to be chewed away. A time to break through obstacles. Useful in legal matters.

### What does 火雷噬嗑 counsel?

Do not yield to sentiment; rule decisively.

### What does 火雷噬嗑 say about work?

Clear blockages and close deals.

### What does 火雷噬嗑 say about relationships?

Speak frankly to dissolve misunderstandings.

### What does 火雷噬嗑 say about health?

Teeth, mouth, digestion.

### Which trigrams make up hexagram 21?

Upper trigram 火 (Fire) over lower trigram 雷 (Thunder).


Source: [Takashima Ekidan AI — ekidan.ai](https://ekidan.ai/library/21)