Fire above – Thunder below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Shì He and it translates to “bite by closing and uniting one’s teeth” which removes the obstruction between them. This hexagram has been called Biting Through, Eradicating, Gnawing, Discernment. The principle behind Biting Through is “to keep communities peaceful by removing obstructions to peace by administering justice”. This underlines the importance of actions based on clear decisions, laws, rules and consequences.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Thunder is below (the bottom 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. Thunder as usable energy is a causal factor, often acting suddenly, with intensity, intuitively or spontaneously. Changes always start with thunder; it is a constant “renewer” of life.
Trigram Fire is on top of trigram Thunder guiding the internal impulse into an externalized reality. Trigram Fire allows for the manifestation of Thunder’s inner impulses, shining a discerning light which providing insight and the ability to separate truth from illusion. Thunder moving up through Fire gives the ability to make things happen in a decisive and focused way.
The ancient ideograph is on the left portion of the image below and consists of 2 parts. On the top portion, the small squarish object on the left represents an open mouth. On the right there is an image of “divination”: the top has 2 yarrow stalks, then a roof and vertical wall separating 2 people kneeling on the floor of a hall – one is the diviner and the other the querent. Combined with the mouth they mean “biting”. In the lower portion, there is again the mouth on the left. On the right is a container with a stroke in the middle showing an object inside it. The container is about to close as the 2 parts come together which, along with the open mouth, shows jaws coming together.
In summary: Although this hexagram’s archetype originally included ancient kings keeping peace by making laws and punishing those who break them, the art of divination also blends in. The ancients believed divination could reach the truth with words by moving through illusions of separation and piercing the dividing lines between mundane and spiritual experience. In those now-distant-times divination was chosen over discussion in settling matters. Thunder has the attribute of making decisions happen while Fire brings the clarity/light necessary to bite through deceptions. Together they enable one to “bite through” to reach a just truth and discern fitting consequences.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – There is a restraint, just a small one perhaps, but it feels like punishment because you cannot move forward. Sometimes being stuck for a little bit is okay, especially in the beginning. Moving with unrestricted freedom can be as unfulfilling as being terminally stuck.
Line 2 – You have moved forward without thoughtful investigation and then found there was more there than met the eye. On the other hand, trying too hard not to misstep means missing much of life. Guidance here is, after thoughtful investigation, to allow the experience and take whatever lessons it may have to offer – both enjoyment and lessons from mistakes.
Line 3 – Something of an old, long-standing issue has surfaced, usually revealed to you alone. Although it may be difficult at this moment to gather the internal forces to eradicate the root of the problem, it is enough now to recognize the situation, give it time and not give in to despair.
Line 4 – A decision needs to be made and it is best worked through by taking the effort to get right to the bottom of the situation, even though it may be difficult. Guidance suggests that in delving in, one is closer to the answer and success.
Line 5 – The quality of your own participation in the situation can affect the outcome. Although there is a natural resistance to change in life, getting to the root of a difficulty and taking action is called for and success may be found in making the hard choice.
Line 6 – One who covers their ears has not listened, has not been willing to see their own shortcomings and may be lost in the illusion of their own or others’ thinking. Either way, there are consequences to everything in life.