Biting Through
The Obstruction Between the Teeth
What blocks the jaws must be bitten through: justice done openly, with its penalties named beforehand.
Biting Through, Shi He, sets the Clinging, Fire, above the Arousing, Thunder, read together as thunder and lightning. The figure is an open mouth, firm lines at top and bottom with yielding ones between, and a single strong line lodged in the fourth place: the gristle that keeps the jaws from closing. Union is possible only when it is bitten through, and the tradition applies this to law rather than to appetite. The judgement holds that success comes of letting justice be administered, and the Image has the kings of former times making the laws firm through clearly defined penalties. It is the hexagram of the criminal process, where an obstacle is removed by open judgement.
Light
Signifies resolute action against an obstacle, justice applied impartially, and the clarity of a law that states its penalties in advance of the offence.
Shadow
Can represent harshness, punishment used to settle a private grievance, or force brought against an obstruction that patience or reform would have answered better.
