Shih Ho / Biting Through

above:Li The Clinging, Flame
below:Ch^ en The Arousing, Thunder

Shih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.

Overall Meaning

Biting through, the symbol of criminal proceedings

Shih Ho means literally 'Union by gnawing'. We see in the figures two strong lines in the first and last places, while all others, with the exception of the fourth, are divided. This suggests the idea of the jaws and the mouth between them kept open by something in it. Let that be gnawed through and the mouth will close and the jaws come together. So in the body politic. Remove the obstacles to union, and high and low will come together with a good understanding. And how are those obstacles to be removed? By force, emblemed by the gnawing; that is, by legal constraints. And these are sure to be successful. The auspice of the figure is favorable. There will be success.