Hexagram 50 · The Cauldron

鼎 · Dǐng

Hexagram 50, The Cauldron (鼎, Dǐng), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Wind below and Fire above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “元吉，亨。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with the cauldron — transformation and institution. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Wind (巽) — gentleness and quiet penetration
Upper trigram: Fire (离) — clarity, radiance and dependence
Symbol: ䷱ · Name: 鼎 (Dǐng) · Number: 50 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   鼎颠趾，利出否；得妾以其子，无咎。
   The Image says: “鼎颠趾”，未悖也；“利出否”，以从贵也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   鼎有实，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。
   The Image says: “鼎有实”，慎所之也；“我仇有疾”，终无尤也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   鼎耳革，其行塞。雉膏不食；方雨亏悔，终吉。
   The Image says: “鼎耳革”，失其义也。
4. 九四 (九四)
   鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
   The Image says: “覆公餗”，信如何也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   鼎黄耳，金铉，利贞。
   The Image says: “鼎黄耳”，中以为实也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   鼎玉铉，大吉，无不利。
   The Image says: “玉铉”在上，刚柔节也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 50?

Hexagram 50 is The Cauldron (鼎, Dǐng), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Wind below and Fire above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of The Cauldron?

The judgment of The Cauldron reads, in the Chinese original: “元吉，亨。”. Its Great Image reads: “木上有火，鼎。君子以正位凝命。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does The Cauldron symbolize?

In the classical tradition, The Cauldron is associated with the cauldron — transformation and institution. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.