Twenty-First Hexagram : The Wisdom of Biting Through

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the twenty-first hexagram of the I Ching, Shi He (噬嗑), which symbolizes 'Biting Through'. It represents fire over thunder, like flames illuminating and thunder enforcing justice, emphasizing determination to bite through obstacles, administer justice, and resolve conflicts with decisive action. The hexagram statement is: "Shi He: Biting Through has success. It is favorable to let justice be administered."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Judge's Bite, Piercing Corruption'

Once upon a time, in a realm where fiery justice crackled above thunderous enforcement, a wise judge confronted the corruption rotting his city. Success came from biting through the obstacles to administer justice. At the outset, minor thieves had their feet fastened in stocks, toes disappearing from view; no blame in such mild punishment to deter small crimes.

He then bit through tender corruption among officials, his nose vanishing into the evidence; no blame in swift justice for easy cases.

But when tackling old, dried scandals laced with poison, he faced slight humiliation from resistance, yet no blame in his persistent probe.

For gristly, tough conspiracies, he bit on dried meat, receiving metal arrows as hard evidence; mindful of difficulties, he persevered for good fortune in unraveling them.

In lean, dry plots of high officials, he bit on sparse meat, receiving yellow gold bribes as proof; perseveringly aware of danger, no blame in his careful handling.

Finally, the master corrupter's neck was fastened in the wooden cangue, ears disappearing; misfortune befell the guilty as justice prevailed.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

First Line (Initial Nine): His feet are fastened in the stocks, So that his toes disappear. No blame.

This line represents mild punishment for initial transgressions, blameless in correction. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, minor thieves had their feet fastened in stocks, toes disappearing from view; no blame in such mild punishment to deter small crimes." This part illustrates gentle enforcement to prevent escalation. Annotation: I Ching Shi He hexagram first line: "His feet are fastened in the stocks, So that his toes disappear. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Ancient Chinese vintage poster illustration with ornate borders and all text in English, depicting feet in stocks with toes disappearing in mild punishment without blame, symbolizing I Ching Shi He hexagram first line: initial correction, fire over thunder landscape with minor offender, traditional robes in soft reds and grays for gentle justice."

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Second Line (Six in the Second Place): Bites through tender meat, So that his nose disappears. No blame.

This line suggests easy resolution of soft obstacles, blameless in thorough investigation. Matching part in the tale: "He then bit through tender corruption among officials, his nose vanishing into the evidence; no blame in swift justice for easy cases." Immersion in simple matters without fault. Annotation: I Ching Shi He hexagram second line: "Bites through tender meat, So that his nose disappears. No blame."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): Bites on old dried meat And strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame.

This line warns of difficulties in old issues with hidden poisons, minor shame but no fault. Matching part in the tale: "But when tackling old, dried scandals laced with poison, he faced slight humiliation from resistance, yet no blame in his persistent probe." Persistence through toxic remnants. Annotation: I Ching Shi He hexagram third line: "Bites on old dried meat And strikes on something poisonous. Slight humiliation. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating biting old dried meat striking poison with slight humiliation no blame, embodying Shi He hexagram third line: persistent probe, resistant scandal scene, intense browns and greens for toxicity."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties And to be persevering. Good fortune.

This line encourages perseverance through tough obstacles, receiving aid for good fortune. Matching part in the tale: "For gristly, tough conspiracies, he bit on dried meat, receiving metal arrows as hard evidence; mindful of difficulties, he persevered for good fortune in unraveling them." Mindful effort yields clues. Annotation: I Ching Shi He hexagram fourth line: "Bites on dried gristly meat. Receives metal arrows. It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties And to be persevering. Good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying biting dried gristly meat receiving metal arrows mindful persevering for good fortune, symbolizing Shi He hexagram fourth line: tough unraveling, evidence scene with thunder and fire, serene golds and browns for perseverance."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame.

This line represents careful handling of sparse but valuable issues, aware of risks without fault. Matching part in the tale: "In lean, dry plots of high officials, he bit on sparse meat, receiving yellow gold bribes as proof; perseveringly aware of danger, no blame in his careful handling." Aware caution in value. Annotation: I Ching Shi He hexagram fifth line: "Bites on dried lean meat. Receives yellow gold. Perseveringly aware of danger. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing biting dried lean meat receiving yellow gold aware of danger no blame, representing Shi He hexagram fifth line: careful handling, high official plot scene, vibrant yellows and silvers for value."

Top Line (Six at the Top): His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, So that his ears disappear. Misfortune.

This line indicates severe punishment for the unrepentant, leading to misfortune. Matching part in the tale: "Finally, the master corrupter's neck was fastened in the wooden cangue, ears disappearing; misfortune befell the guilty as justice prevailed." Severe justice for guilty. Annotation: I Ching Shi He hexagram top line: "His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue, So that his ears disappear. Misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting neck in wooden cangue ears disappearing in misfortune, symbolizing Shi He hexagram sixth line: severe punishment, guilty enforcer scene with fire over thunder, dark purples and reds for doom."

This blog should make the six lines of Shi He hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~