Hexagram 50: The Cauldron
Outer trigram (upper)
Ly
Fire · Fire
Inner trigram (lower)
Tốn
Wind · Wood
Judgment
鼎：元吉，亨.
Translation
The Cauldron: great good fortune, success.
Commentary
The upper trigram is Fire (Li), the lower is Wood (Xun) — wood feeds the fire that cooks within the cauldron. The cauldron is a sacred vessel symbolizing royal authority, used to prepare offerings for the spirits and to nourish the worthy. Line 1, yin, represents the cauldron's legs; line 5, yang, represents its handles.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yin)
初六：鼎顛趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎.
Translation
The cauldron is tipped over on its legs — useful for pouring out what has spoiled inside. One takes a concubine for the sake of a son. No blame.
Commentary
This yin line represents the cauldron's legs. Tipping the cauldron to empty out what has gone bad is a way of clearing out the old and unwanted, much like taking a concubine for the sake of an heir — since the intention is sound, there is no blame.
Line 2 (yang)
九二：鼎有實，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉.
Translation
The cauldron is filled with good food. My rival is troubled and cannot come near me. Good fortune.
Commentary
This yang line is centered and, like a cauldron full of good food, holds real substance — genuine talent and character. No correspondence exists with line 5, so the rival there cannot cause harm. A good outcome.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食，方雨虧悔，終吉.
Translation
The cauldron's handles have shifted and its way forward is blocked — the fine pheasant fat inside goes uneaten. But once the rain falls, regret dissolves, and things turn out well in the end.
Commentary
This yang line is correctly placed but lacks correspondence, so its way forward is obstructed like a cauldron whose handles no longer fit, and its ability goes unused. Once yin and yang come into harmony, like rain finally falling, the regret dissolves, and the outcome is ultimately good.
Line 4 (yang)
九四：鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶.
Translation
The cauldron's leg snaps, spilling the ruler's food onto the ground — a severe punishment follows. Misfortune.
Commentary
Neither centered nor correctly placed, this line takes on a great responsibility beyond its capacity, like a cauldron leg that gives way. It ruins the work entrusted by those above and faces severe punishment as a result. Misfortune.
Line 5 (yin)
九五：鼎黃耳，金鉉，利貞.
Translation
The cauldron has golden handles and a golden carrying-bar. Favorable to hold to what is right.
Commentary
This yin line is centered and holds the position of honor. Its golden handles and carrying-bar signify nobility and worth. With balanced, upright character, holding to what is right brings benefit.
Line 6 (yang)
上九：鼎玉鉉，大吉，无不利.
Translation
At the very top, the cauldron's carrying-bar is made of jade. Great good fortune — nothing is unfavorable.
Commentary
This yang line sits at the very top. A jade carrying-bar is firm yet gentle, combining strength and softness in perfect balance. Great good fortune, with nothing unfavorable.