Hexagram 21: Biting Through
Hexagram
21. Biting Through · Shi He
Structure of the sign
The hexagram represents an open mouth (cf. no. 27, I), between whose teeth there is an obstacle (in the fourth place). As a consequence, the lips cannot be united. To bring about a union, energetic biting through the obstacle is required. The hexagram is further composed of the signs for thunder and lightning, to indicate how obstacles in nature are violently removed. Energetic biting through overcomes the obstacle to union in the mouth. The thunderstorm with thunder and lightning overcomes the disturbing tension in nature. Lawsuits and penalties overcome the disturbances of harmonious communal life caused by criminals and slanderers. In contrast to hexagram no. 6, Conflict, which deals with civil lawsuits, what is treated here is the criminal lawsuit.
The Judgment
Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered. When an obstacle stands in the way of union, energetic biting through brings success. This holds true in all circumstances. Whenever unity fails to come about, it is always obstructed by an intermediary and traitor, by a hinderer and restrainer. Here one must intervene energetically so that no lasting harm arises. Such deliberate obstructions do not disappear of themselves. Lawsuits and punishment are necessary for deterrence and removal respectively. Yet one must proceed in the proper manner. The hexagram is composed of Li, clarity, and Dschen, movement. Li is yielding, Dschen is hard. Mere hardness and movement would be too violent in punishing. Mere clarity and yieldingness would be too weak. Both united create the proper measure. It is important that the decisive man, who is represented by the fifth line, is gentle by nature, while commanding reverence through his position.
The Image
Thunder and lightning: the image of Biting Through. Thus the kings of former times strengthened the laws through clearly defined penalties. Penalties are the specific applications of the laws. The laws contain the recording of the penalties. Clarity prevails when, in determining penalties, lighter and heavier ones are clearly distinguished according to the corresponding offenses. This is symbolized by the clarity of lightning. The strengthening of the laws takes place through the just application of penalties. This is symbolized by the terror of thunder. The purpose of this clarity and severity is to keep people in awe; penalties are not important for their own sake. Obstacles in human communal life all grow great through lack of clarity in penal provisions and laxity in their execution. Only through clarity and decisive swiftness in penalties are the laws strengthened.
The lines
Line 1
His feet are fastened in the stocks, so that the toes disappear. No blame. If someone incurs punishment immediately upon the first attempt to do evil, the penalty is only light. Only the toes are covered by the stocks. He is thereby prevented from sinning further and thus becomes free of blame. It is an admonition to halt in good time upon the path of evil.
Line 2
Bites through soft meat, so that the nose disappears. No blame. Right and wrong are easily distinguished in the present case. It is like biting through tender meat. But one encounters a hardened sinner. Therefore, out of anger in excitement, one goes somewhat too far. The disappearance of the nose when biting down means that one loses the delicate sense of scent owing to indignation. Yet this does no great harm, because the punishment as such is just.
Line 3
Bites on old dried meat and strikes upon something poisonous. Minor humiliation. No blame. Someone is to carry out a punishment for which he possesses neither sufficient power nor authority. Therefore the punished do not submit. It is an old matter—symbolized by salted game—and in this difficulties are encountered. The old meat is spoiled. By occupying oneself with the matter, one incurs poisonous hatred. This leads to a somewhat humiliating situation. But since it was a requirement of the time to punish, one remains free of blame.
Line 4
Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It is favorable to be mindful of difficulties and to be persevering. Good fortune! Very great difficulties are to be overcome. Powerful opponents are to be punished. This is very arduous. Yet it succeeds. But one must possess the hardness of metal and the straightness of an arrow to overcome the difficulties. If one knows these difficulties and remains persevering, one attains good fortune. The difficult task succeeds at last.
Line 5▶ ruling line
Bites on dried muscle meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly conscious of danger. No blame. One has to decide a case that is not easy, yet is clear. But one's own nature is inclined toward good nature. Therefore one must collect oneself so as to be like yellow gold, that is, impartial—yellow being the color of the mean—and true as gold. Only if one remains constantly conscious of the dangers that spring from the responsibility one has assumed does one remain free of blame.
Line 6
His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, so that the ears disappear. Misfortune! In contrast to the initial line, this concerns a person who is incorrigible. As a punishment he wears the wooden neck collar. But his ears disappear in it. He no longer listens to warnings, but is deaf to them. This obduracy leads to misfortune.
Below ☳ Thunder (Dschen)
- Direction
- E
- Element
- Wood · Thunder
- Attributes
- Arousing · Awakening · Impelling · Moving
- Family
- Eldest Son
Above ☲ Fire (Li)
- Direction
- S
- Element
- Fire · Sun · Light
- Attributes
- Clarifying · Luminous · Clinging · Conscious · Beautiful
- Family
- Middle Daughter