I Ching · Hexagram 50 of 64
50. Dǐng 鼎 · The Cauldron
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Transformation and nourishment; refine what you have.
- Upper trigram
- Fire 離
- Lower trigram
- Wind 巽
What hexagram 50 means
Dǐng shows fire over wood: the ritual cauldron cooking food. It is transformation and nourishment, raw materials turned into something that feeds people and honours what matters. The traditional text calls it supreme good fortune. Refine what you have and share it.
Hexagram 50 in daily life
At work
Refine your product, service or skills. Quality now nourishes many.
In relationships
Nourish each other. Shared meals and care deepen bonds.
For yourself
Transform yourself through discipline, like ingredients becoming a meal.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | The cauldron is turned upside down to clear out old residue. Starting fresh brings no blame. |
| Line 2 | There is food in the cauldron. Others may envy you, but they can't reach you: good fortune. |
| Line 3 | The cauldron's handles are altered; the rich food isn't eaten. Rain comes and regret passes. |
| Line 4 | The cauldron's legs break and the prince's meal spills. Taking on too much brings misfortune. |
| Line 5 | The cauldron has yellow handles and golden rings. Persistence is favourable. |
| Line 6 | The cauldron has jade rings. Great good fortune; everything is favourable. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Wind 巽 (Xùn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Fire 離 (Lí), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Fire over Wood. Wind is the trigram of Kua 4 and Fire is the trigram of Kua 9.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 3. Zhūn 屯 · Difficulty at the Beginning
- Inverted (read upside down): 49. Gé 革 · Revolution
- Trigrams swapped: 37. Jiā Rén 家人 · The Family
Questions to reflect on
- What am I refining right now?
- What do I offer that nourishes others?
- What old residue should I clear out?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.