What this change means
Fire comes to rest inside the lake as the third, fifth and top lines move, turning Biting into 49 Renewal. Equal weight goes to the two judgments. Biting wants the obstacle met head-on, with energy and clear limits. Renewal speaks of shedding an old skin: opening to change, taking each step at the right moment, and telling what still works from what no longer does. The bite here becomes a deeper cut. It isn't only about removing one obstacle; it may be about letting go of a whole way of doing things that has run its course. Don't be afraid to release it, but don't throw out what still serves you either. Weigh carefully, act at the right time, and make room for what's new. Change done this way tends to feel less like loss and more like growth.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
- Line 3 of 21 Biting
Old grudges come to light. You'll respond, and people may criticize you for it, since they don't know why you reacted.
Biting old dried meat, meeting poison. A little distress; no fault.
- Line 5 of 21 Biting
When you correct mistakes others have made, be steady and impartial, and you'll get results.
Biting dried meat, finding yellow gold. Constancy is in danger. No fault.
- Line 6 of 21 Biting
Insisting on staying on the wrong path and refusing to hear advice or warnings will lead you to failure.
A wooden collar on the neck, the ears lost from sight. Misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
49 Renewal → 21 Bitinglines 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Biting
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 3
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, and 4
- 52Abidinglines 1, 3, and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 3, and 4
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, and 5
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 4, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 3, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 4, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 3, 4, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.