Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 鼎 (Dǐng) |
| English Name | The Cauldron / The Sacred Vessel |
| Trigrams | Fire over Wind (离上巽下) |
| Number | 50 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Cauldron. Supreme good fortune. Success.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Fire over wood: the image of the Cauldron. Thus the superior man consolidates his fate by making his position correct.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | A ting with legs upturned. Furthers removal of stagnating stuff. One takes a concubine for the sake of her son. No blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 九二 | 2nd | There is food in the ting. My comrades are envious, but they cannot harm me. Good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九三 | 3rd | 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. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九四 | 4th | The legs of the ting are broken. The prince's meal is spilled and his person is soiled. Misfortune. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
| 六五 | 5th | The ting has yellow handles, golden carrying rings. Perseverance furthers. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 上九 | Top | The ting has rings of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that would not act to further. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- The sacred cauldron; transforming raw materials into spiritual nourishment
- Upper trigram Fire (bright and clinging) over lower trigram Wind (gentle and penetrating)
- Embodies the qualities of nourishment, culture, transformation and sacrifice, wisdom, refinement
Keywords
NourishmentCultureTransformationSacrificeWisdomRefinement
Divination & Prediction
★★★★★Supremely Auspicious
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Favorable conditions ahead. The sacred cauldron; transforming raw materials into spiritual nourishment Channel the energy of nourishment and culture for maximum benefit. |
| Timing | Conditions favor action now. Move forward with confidence. |
| Challenge | Maintain focus on transformation to avoid complacency in favorable times. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels nourishment and culture. The Fire trigram above suggests bright and clinging energy in your outer dealings, while the Wind trigram below points to gentle and penetrating foundations. Conditions favor bold moves and expansion.
Health & Wellness
Focus on heart and eyes and thighs and immune system. Your vitality is strong — channel it through regular exercise and disciplined routines.
Relationships
In relationships, embody nourishment and culture. Openness and confidence strengthen bonds. Take initiative in resolving issues.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes transformation and sacrifice. Excellent conditions for mastery. Pursue ambitious studies.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate nourishment in all your actions
- Practice culture consistently
- Embrace transformation as your guiding principle
- Develop sacrifice through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of wisdom
- Abandon refinement under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 49. Gé (革) | Revolution — what precedes the cauldron |
| 14. Dà Yǒu (大有) | Great Possession — abundance transformed |
| 44. Gòu (姤) | Coming to Meet — raw materials entering |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “I want to create something of lasting cultural value. How should I approach this?”
You received Hexagram 50, The Cauldron. The judgment says: 'The Cauldron. Supreme good fortune. Success....' The sacred cauldron; transforming raw materials into spiritual nourishment This is a favorable sign. The energy of nourishment supports your intention. Move forward with transformation, but remain mindful of proper timing.