50. Ding | The Cauldron
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
鼎:元吉,亨。
English translation
Ding / The Cauldron: Great good fortune; matters go smoothly.
This is the judgment of Ding (The Cauldron), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
初六:鼎颠趾,利出否。得妾以其子,无咎。
English translation
First Six: The cauldron is tipped at its base; this is favorable for moving out of blockage. Gaining a concubine through her son brings no blame.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
九二:鼎有实,我仇有疾。不我能即,吉。
English translation
Second Nine: The cauldron holds real substance; my opponent is weakened by illness. If others cannot act against me directly, this is auspicious.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
九三:鼎耳革,其行塞。雉膏不食,方雨亏悔,终吉。
English translation
Third Nine: The cauldron’s ears are remade and movement is blocked; pheasant fat should not be eaten. A temporary setback is accepted, and it ends in good fortune.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
Original Chinese text
九四:鼎折足,覆公𫗧,其形渥,凶。
English translation
Fourth Nine: The cauldron breaks its foot and overturns, soaking and disfiguring itself; this is misfortune.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “misfortune” marks serious risk.
Original Chinese text
六五:鼎黄耳金铉,利贞。
English translation
Fifth Six: The cauldron has yellow ears and golden handles; upright and correct conduct is beneficial.
The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.
Original Chinese text
上九:鼎玉铉,大吉,无不利。
English translation
Top Nine: A cauldron with jade fittings brings great good fortune and nothing unfavorable.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.