50. Ding | The Cauldron
- Line 1 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
鼎：元吉，亨。
Translation: 鼎 / The Cauldron: greatly auspicious，亨。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Ding (The Cauldron), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
初六：鼎颠趾，利出否。得妾以其子，无咎。
Translation: First Six: 鼎颠趾，利出否。得妾以其子，no blame。.
Reading note: 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.
九二：鼎有实，我仇有疾。不我能即，吉。
Translation: Second Nine: 鼎有实，我仇有疾。不我能即，auspicious。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
九三：鼎耳革，其行塞。雉膏不食，方雨亏悔，终吉。
Translation: Third Nine: 鼎耳革，其行塞。雉膏不食，方雨亏悔，auspicious in the end。.
Reading note: 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.
九四：鼎折足，覆公𫗧，其形渥，凶。
Translation: Fourth Nine: 鼎折足，覆公𫗧，其形渥，misfortune。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “misfortune” marks serious risk.
六五：鼎黄耳金铉，利贞。
Translation: Fifth Six: 鼎黄耳金铉，it is beneficial to remain upright。.
Reading note: 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.
上九：鼎玉铉，大吉，无不利。
Translation: Top Nine: 鼎玉铉，greatly auspicious，无不利。.
Reading note: 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.