This paper treats the strict semi-stability of the symmetric powers [Formula: see text] of a stable vector bundle [Formula: see text] of rank [Formula: see text] with even degree on a smooth projective curve [Formula: see text] of genus [Formula: see text]. The strict semi-stability of [Formula: see text] is equivalent to the orthogonality of [Formula: see text] or the existence of a bisection on the ruled surface [Formula: see text] whose self-intersection number is zero. A relation between the two interpretations is investigated in this paper through elementary transformations. This paper also gives a classification of [Formula: see text] with strictly semi-stable [Formula: see text]. Moreover, it is shown that when [Formula: see text] is stable, every symmetric power [Formula: see text] is stable for all but a finite number of [Formula: see text] in the moduli of stable vector bundles of rank [Formula: see text] with fixed determinant of even degree on [Formula: see text].