Classical Text 古典文獻 · I Ching 易經
Hexagram 50 — Fire over Wind (火風鼎) - The Caldron
鼎
Lower Canon 下經
Hexagram Symbol & Trigrams
卦象與八卦
Judgment
卦辭
鼎：元吉，亨。
The Caldron. Supreme good fortune. Success.
Image
象傳
象曰：木上有火，鼎；君子以正位凝命。
Fire over wood: the image of the Caldron. Thus the superior man consolidates his fate by making his position correct.
Interpretation
詮釋
鼎卦象徵鼎器與革新。火在木上，烹飪化生。應正位凝命，鼎新革故，養賢育才。
The Caldron represents vessel and renewal. Fire above wood, cooking transforms. Should establish position consolidate fate, renew and reform, nurture worthy talent.
Six Lines
爻辭
Six at the beginning
初六
鼎顛趾，利出否，得妾以其子，無咎。
A ting with legs upturned. Furthers removal of stagnating stuff. One takes a concubine for the sake of her son. No blame.
鼎腳顛倒，利於倒出污物，得妾因其子，無咎。除舊布新，化腐朽為神奇。
Caldron legs overturned, benefits pouring out filth, taking concubine for her son, no blame. Removing old establishing new, transforming decay into miracle.
Nine in the second place
九二
鼎有實，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。
There is food in the ting. My comrades are envious, but they cannot harm me. Good fortune.
鼎中有實物，我的對手有病痛，不能接近我，吉。有才有德，小人嫉妒但無可奈何。
Food in caldron, my rivals have illness, cannot approach me, fortune. Having talent and virtue, petty people envious but helpless.
Nine in the third place
九三
鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食，方雨虧悔，終吉。
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.
鼎耳改變，行動受阻，雉肉美食不得享用，正當下雨減少悔恨，終吉。雖遇挫折但堅持終獲成功。
Caldron handles changed, movement obstructed, pheasant delicacy cannot be enjoyed, when rain falls regret decreases, finally fortune. Though encountering setbacks but persistence ultimately succeeds.
Nine in the fourth place
九四
鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
The legs of the ting are broken. The prince's meal is spilled and his person is soiled. Misfortune.
鼎腳折斷，傾覆君主的食物，身形受污，凶。才德不足擔大任，必招禍患。
Caldron legs broken, spilling ruler's food, person soiled, misfortune. Talent and virtue insufficient for great responsibility, inevitably brings disaster.
Six in the fifth place
六五
鼎黃耳金鉉，利貞。
The ting has yellow handles, golden carrying rings. Perseverance furthers.
鼎有黃耳金鉉，利於守正。居尊位而柔順，有美德配美器。
Caldron with yellow handles golden rings, benefits correctness. In high position yet yielding, beautiful virtue matches beautiful vessel.
Nine at the top
上九
鼎玉鉉，大吉，無不利。
The ting has rings of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that would not act to further.
鼎有玉製環鉉，大吉，無不利。剛柔並濟，德業完美，萬事皆利。
Caldron with jade rings, great fortune, nothing fails to further. Firmness and flexibility balanced, virtue and achievement perfect, all matters benefit.
Source: I Ching (易經), Hexagram 50