What this change means
Two lines move at the bottom of Biting, and the lower Thunder becomes Water. The second line leads: when someone acts unjustly, a firm limit is better than silence, even if you bite deeper than you meant to. The first line backs it up from below: if you catch yourself in the wrong, take responsibility and change direction fast. Together they ask for honesty in both directions, toward others and toward yourself. The result is 64 Transition, fire above water, things lining up without having fully landed. Success is getting closer and larger projects become possible, yet some pieces are still loose. This is where avoidable mistakes slip in, born of haste or of stopping halfway once you feel you've won. Keep your limits clear, keep correcting yourself early, and stay alert until the crossing is truly complete.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 21 Biting
When you see someone acting unjustly or wrongly, it's better to be uncompromising in setting limits than to do nothing.
Biting tender flesh, the nose sinks out of sight. No fault.
- Line 1 of 21 Biting
If you realize you're doing the wrong thing, take responsibility for your actions and change course quickly.
Feet in the stocks, the toes lost from sight. No fault.
- The judgment of 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
- The judgment of 64 Transition
Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.
Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
64 Transition → 21 Bitinglines 1 and 2
Other transformations of Biting
- 56The Travelerlines 1 and 3
- 14Wealthlines 2 and 3
- 23The Falllines 1 and 4
- 41Decreaselines 2 and 4
- 22Good Mannerslines 3 and 4
- 12Declinelines 1 and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2 and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3 and 5
- 42Increaselines 4 and 5
- 16Passionlines 1 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2 and 6
- 55Abundancelines 3 and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 4 and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.