I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 21 with Changing Lines 1, 3, 5, 6 to Hexagram 31

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 21.1.3.5.6 -> 31

Old Yang Old Yin Young Yang Old Yin Young Yin Old Yang

21. Biting Through

Yin Yang Yang Yang Yin Yin

31. Resonance

21. Biting Through (噬嗑 Shì Kè)

Trigrams

Above
☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
Below
☳ Zhèn (Thunder) — 雷 · Arousing

The Symbolism of Hexagram 21

Hexagram 噬嗑 (Shì Kè) describes removing what obstructs by forceful resolution. It involves judgment, enforcement, and the imposition of consequences to restore order.

Hexagram 21 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
噬嗑，亨。利用狱。
(Shì kè, hēng. Lì yòng yù.)
English Translation:
"Biting through. Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to apply formal judgment."

An obstruction is present that cannot be negotiated away. It must be broken through.

This requires the use of formal judgment and consequence. When enforcement is applied correctly, resolution is achieved.

Hexagram 21 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
雷電噬嗑。先王以明罰勑法。
(Léi diàn shì kè. Xiān wáng yǐ míng fá chì fǎ.)
English Translation:
"Thunder and lightning meet: biting through. The superior person clarifies penalties and establishes order."

Thunder initiates, lightning illuminates. Together they represent action combined with clarity.

Punishment is not arbitrary—it must be visible, defined, and consistently applied in order to restore structure.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
屦校滅趾，无咎。
(Jù xiào miè zhǐ, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"The foot is constrained, injuring the toes. No error."

This is a minor corrective measure. The restriction is limited and proportional.

Though uncomfortable, it prevents greater error and therefore carries no blame.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
噬腊肉，遇毒。小吝，无咎。
(Shì là ròu, yù dú. Xiǎo lìn, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"Biting dried meat, encountering poison. Minor constrained outcome, no error."

The obstruction contains hidden complications. What appears simple proves dangerous.

There is some trouble, but with awareness, no lasting harm results.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
噬乾肉，得黄金，貞厲，无咎。
(Shì gān ròu, dé huáng jīn, zhēn lì, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"Biting dried meat, obtaining gold. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. Risk present. No error."

Resolution yields something valuable, but not without danger.

Even when the action is correct, it carries weight and consequence. Awareness prevents error.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
何校滅耳，凶。
(Hé xiào miè ěr, xiōng.)
English Translation:
"The neck is constrained, injuring the ears. Unfavorable outcome."

Punishment becomes excessive. The corrective force is no longer proportionate.

When enforcement goes too far, it produces harm and leads to misfortune.

Changing to:

31. Resonance (咸 Xián)

Trigrams

Above
☱ Duì (Lake) — 澤 · Open
Below
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness

The Symbolism of Hexagram 31

Hexagram 咸 (Xián) describes resonance—how one system responds to another through sensitivity and internal alignment. Influence here is not applied force, but the natural transmission of signal between receptive structures.

The mountain below provides stability, while the lake above allows openness and exchange. Together, they form a system where stillness enables accurate reception, and openness allows response. This hexagram models how connection forms through responsiveness rather than control.

Hexagram 31 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
咸，亨，利貞。取女吉。
(Xián, hēng, lì zhēn. Qǔ nǚ jí.)
English Translation:
"Resonance brings smooth progress. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. Forming a union brings favorable outcome."

This describes a state where mutual responsiveness allows connection to form naturally. Stability is required so that influence is not distorted or forced.

When alignment is genuine, union emerges without friction. The system holds together because its components respond to one another accurately.

Hexagram 31 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
山上有澤，咸。君子以虛受人。
(Shān shàng yǒu zé, xián. Jūn zǐ yǐ xū shòu rén.)
English Translation:
"The lake rests upon the mountain: resonance. The superior person remains inwardly open and receives others."

The mountain holds still while the lake responds to what it encounters. This pairing creates a system capable of sensing and responding without distortion.

Openness is not passivity, but clarity of reception. By remaining unfilled, one can register external influence accurately and respond appropriately.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team