Shih Ho / Biting Through
above:Li The Clinging, Flame
below:Ch^ en The Arousing, Thunder
This hexagram represents an open mouth (cf. hexagram 27) with an obstruction (in the fourth place) between the teeth. As a result the lips cannot meet. To bring them together one must bite energetically through the obstacle. Since the hexagram is made up of the trigrams for thunder and for lightning, it indicates how obstacles are forcibly removed in nature. Energetic biting through overcomes the obstacle that prevents joining of the lips; the storm with its thunder and lightning overcomes the disturbing tension in nature. Recourse to law and penalties overcomes the disturbances of harmonious social life caused by criminals and slanderers. The theme of this hexagram is a criminal lawsuit, in contradistinction to that of Sung, CONFLICT (6), which refers to civil suits.
The Judgement
BITING THROUGH has success.
It is favorable to let justice be administered.
When an obstacle to union arises, energetic biting through brings
success. This is true in all situations. Whenever unity cannot be
established, the obstruction is due to a talebearer and traitor who is
interfering and blocking the way. To prevent permanent injury, vigorous
measures must be taken at once. Deliberate obstruction of this sort
does not vanish of its own accord. Judgment and punishment are required
to deter or obviate it.
However, it is important to proceed in the right way. The hexagram
combines Li, clarity, and Chên, excitement. Li is yielding,
Chên is hard. Unqualified hardness and excitement would be too
violent in meting out punishment; unqualified clarity and gentleness
would be too weak. The two together create the just measure. It is of
moment that the man who makes the decisions (represented by the fifth
line) is gentle by nature, while he commands respect by his conduct in
his position.
The Image
Thunder and lighting:
The image of BITING THROUGH.
Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws
Through clearly defined penalties.
Penalties are the individual applications of the law. The laws specify the penalties. Clarity prevails when mild and severe penalties are differentiated, according to the nature of the crimes. This is symbolized by the clarity of lightning. The law is strengthened by a just application of penalties. This is symbolized by the terror of thunder. This clarity and severity have the effect of instilling respect; it is not that the penalties are ends in themselves. The obstructions in the social life of man increase when there is a lack of clarity in the penal codes and slackness in executing them. The only to strengthen the law is to make it clear and make penalties certain and swift.