䷔ Biting Through Shì Hé
Core Meaning
The Shi He hexagram reveals the wisdom of eliminating obstacles. 'Something in the mouth' is like a hard object that must be bitten through and swallowed. 'Thunder and lightning combine and shine' suggests the awe-inspiring power of thunder and lightning, symbolizing the majesty of rules and punishment. 'It is beneficial to administer justice' not only refers to punishment but also to removing obstacles through clear rules. From 'biting through the skin' to 'biting through dried meat' and then 'biting through tough dried meat,' the difficulty increases, but persistence is necessary. 'Clarifying penalties and enforcing laws' is the core—rewards and punishments should be clear, and laws well-ordered. 'Movement with clarity' means actions should be open and honest, without secret manipulations.
The Judgment
Shi He (Biting Through), success. It is beneficial to administer justice.
Interpretation:
The Shi He hexagram symbolizes biting through, leading to smooth success. It is beneficial for administering justice and punishment, eliminating obstacles.
The Image
Thunder and lightning: Biting Through. The ancient kings used this to clarify penalties and enforce laws.
Structure
The Shi He hexagram has Zhen (Thunder) below and Li (Fire/Lightning) above. Zhen is thunder, Li is lightning (fire). Thunder and lightning together, with awe-inspiring power, symbolize the majesty of punishment. 'Something in the mouth (Yi)' means there is something in the mouth that needs to be bitten through and eaten, symbolizing an obstacle that needs to be removed. 'Hard and soft separated, movement with clarity' means movement below and clarity above, indicating actions are righteous and open. 'Thunder and lightning combine and shine' means the combination of thunder and lightning manifests their power. This hexagram emphasizes the removal of obstacles and maintenance of order through clear rules of reward and punishment.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Beginning Nine: The foot is caught in the stocks, the toes are destroyed. No blame.
Six in the second place: Biting through the skin, the nose is destroyed. No blame.
Six in the third place: Biting through dried meat, encountering poison. A little regret, but no blame.
Nine in the fourth place: Biting through tough dried meat, obtaining a golden arrow. It is beneficial to be firm in adversity. Good fortune.
Six in the fifth place: Biting through dried meat, obtaining yellow gold. Perseverance is perilous, but no blame.
Top Nine: Wearing heavy stocks, the ears are destroyed. Misfortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
In your career, you need to decisively remove obstacles. 'It is beneficial to administer justice' means establishing clear rules and reward/punishment systems. 'Biting through the skin, the nose is destroyed' means small problems should be dealt with promptly. Nine in the fourth place, 'biting through tough dried meat, obtaining a golden arrow,' signifies that when encountering difficulties, 'it is beneficial to be firm in adversity' and maintain an upright character. Six in the fifth place, 'obtaining yellow gold,' indicates that the most appropriate approach is integrity and balance. 'Clarifying penalties and enforcing laws' means the system should be open and transparent. However, avoid the 'top nine' scenario of 'wearing heavy stocks, the ears are destroyed,' as excessive punishment will backfire. 'Beginning nine: the foot is caught in the stocks, the toes are destroyed' shows that early prevention is very important.
❤️ Relationships
In relationships, obstacles should be dealt with promptly. 'Something in the mouth' means unresolved conflicts will affect the relationship. 'Movement with clarity' means communication should be open and honest. 'Biting through the skin' suggests small issues should be resolved early. 'Biting through dried meat, encountering poison' indicates that improper handling in the third position might lead to 'a little regret,' but 'if you are concerned about it, there is no blame'—realizing the problem and correcting it in time. 'Thunder and lightning combine and shine' sometimes requires a clear stance and setting boundaries. But avoid the excess of 'wearing heavy stocks, the ears are destroyed,' which would lead to 'misfortune.'
🎯 Decision Making
Currently, you need to decisively eliminate obstacles. 'Biting through leads to success' means only by breaking through obstacles can you prosper. 'Hard and soft separated, movement with clarity' means you need to combine firmness and gentleness, and act openly. 'Clarifying penalties and enforcing laws' means establishing a clear system of rules. From 'biting through the skin' to 'biting through tough dried meat,' the difficulty will increase, so be mentally prepared. 'It is beneficial to be firm in adversity' means the more difficult it is, the more you must adhere to the right path. 'Obtaining a golden arrow' and 'obtaining yellow gold' signifies that integrity and balance lead to success. Avoid the passive prevention of the beginning nine, and also avoid the excessive punishment of the top nine.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest danger is the excess of the top nine, 'wearing heavy stocks, the ears are destroyed.' Punishment that is too severe will lead to 'misfortune.' If one is 'unwise in hearing' and does not know when to restrain, it will backfire. Six in the third place 'encountering poison' suggests that 'improper position' and mishandling can cause trouble. 'Biting through dried meat' indicates that some obstacles are stubborn and require patience. 'It is beneficial to be firm in adversity' means that in times of difficulty, principles cannot be abandoned. 'Perseverance is perilous,' even when upright, one must be wary of danger. The 'clarity' in 'clarifying penalties and enforcing laws' is very important; rules that are not open and transparent will lose credibility.
Applicable Scenarios
The Biting Through hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
King Tang of Shang seeing the net embodies the spirit of Shi He. A hunter set nets on all four sides to catch birds. King Tang said, 'If this is the case, you will catch them all!' and ordered that three sides be left open, catching only birds that violated the rules by entering. This is 'clarifying penalties and enforcing laws'—rules are clear, and enforcement is moderate. It is not about 'wearing heavy stocks, the ears are destroyed' (excessive elimination), but rather 'obtaining a golden arrow' (righteousness with proper measure). 'Movement with clarity' means the nets were placed openly, giving creatures a way out. This is the wisdom of Shi He: rules must be clear, punishment must be moderate, eliminate obstacles but do not overdo it, 'thunder and lightning combine and shine' rather than the tyranny of 'unwise in hearing.'
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Biting Through hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: