Hexagram 50: The Cauldron
Transformation, nourishment of the wise
| Chinese | 鼎 (Dǐng) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☲ Fire — The Clinging (Fire) |
| Lower trigram | ☴ Wind — The Gentle (Wood) |
| Keywords | transformation, nourishment, culture, devotion |
| Opposite | Hexagram 3: Difficulty at the Beginning |
| Inverted | Hexagram 49: Revolution |
What does Hexagram 50 (The Cauldron) mean?
The Cauldron 鼎 (Dǐng) is hexagram 50 of the I Ching, formed by Fire (The Clinging) over Wind (The Gentle). Its theme is transformation, nourishment of the wise, with key ideas of transformation, nourishment, culture, devotion. The Judgment reads: “The Cauldron. Supreme good fortune. Success.”
The Judgment of The Cauldron
The Cauldron. Supreme good fortune. Success.
The Image of The Cauldron
Fire over wood.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 50
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Six at the beginning
“A ting with legs upturned. It furthers one to remove stagnating stuff. One takes a concubine for the sake of her son. No blame.”
Emptying and inverting the vessel to clear out what has stagnated is the necessary first act of renewal. Unconventional means in service of transformation are blameless.
Nine in the second place
“There is food in the ting. My comrades are envious, but they cannot harm me. Good fortune.”
True nourishment within oneself cannot be taken by envious others. The richness of genuine inner resource is immune to external covetousness.
Nine in the third place
“The handle of the ting is altered. One is impeded in his way of life. The fat of the pheasant is not eaten. Once rain falls, remorse is spent. Good fortune comes in the end.”
A disruption to one's means of access temporarily prevents receiving what is ready and available. The obstruction clears when conditions change; patience preserves the ultimate good.
Nine in the fourth place
“The legs of the ting are broken. The prince's meal is spilled and his person is soiled. Misfortune.”
Failure of the instrument at the critical moment of service — collapsing under the weight of responsibility — is a serious disgrace. The vessel must be equal to what it carries.
Six in the fifth place
“The ting has yellow handles, golden carrying rings. Perseverance furthers.”
The cauldron fitted with the right, valuable means of being used and carried represents perfect readiness for service. Excellence of instrument and purpose are aligned.
Nine at the top
“The ting has rings of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that would not further.”
The highest completion: the vessel of nourishment adorned with the rarest virtue. When form and substance achieve perfect accord, every direction brings benefit.
Will The Cauldron answer your question?
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