50 · 鼎

Hexagram 50, 鼎. Original Chinese judgment: 元吉，亨。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

元吉，亨。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初六：鼎顛趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎。
  2. 九二：鼎有實，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。
  3. 九三：鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食，方雨虧悔，終吉。
  4. 九四：鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
  5. 六五：鼎黃耳，金鉉，利貞。
  6. 上九：鼎玉鉉，大吉，无不利。

Tuan commentary

鼎，象也。以木巽火，亨飪也。聖人亨以享上帝，而大亨以養聖賢。巽而耳目聰明，柔進而上行，得中而應乎剛，是以元亨。

维基文库 · 周易 · 鼎

Great Image commentary

木上有火，鼎；君子以正位凝命。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 鼎顛趾，未悖也。利出否，以從貴也。
  2. 鼎有實，慎所之也。我仇有疾，終无尤也。
  3. 鼎耳革，失其義也。
  4. 覆公餗，信如何也。
  5. 鼎黃耳，中以為實也。
  6. 玉鉉在上，剛柔節也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷二

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi derives Ding’s vessel image from the shapes of the six lines and Xun’s wood entering Li’s fire. It cooks and nourishes, with inward responsive virtue and outward clear understanding. The centered fifth yin line corresponds with the second yang line, allowing great, unhindered progress.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. At the beginning, the vessel is empty but contains old residue. Turning its legs upward pours out the filth; failure can accomplish cleaning and turn a lowly state into renewed use.
  2. Firm strength at the center in the second line gives substance within the vessel. Proceed carefully; maintaining firm centeredness prevents the nearby first yin line from drawing it into an improper relationship, hence auspiciousness.
  3. The third yang line holds fine food in the vessel’s belly, but excessive firmness without the center changes its handles and prevents movement, leaving the food unused. Correctness while awaiting harmony can ultimately be auspicious.
  4. The fourth yang line holds high rank and great responsibility but corresponds below with an incapable first yin line, like a broken vessel leg overturning public food. Unsuitable appointments destroy trust, hence inauspiciousness.
  5. The fifth yin line forms the handles, centered and open to the second line’s firmness, like yellow handles with a strong metal carrying bar. Steadfast correctness remains essential.
  6. The top yang line is the carrying bar. Yang in a yin position combines strength and warmth, like jade’s solidity and refinement. Fitting balance of firmness and yielding is greatly auspicious, with nothing unfavorable.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Ding draws its images from the vessel's shape and wood entering fire. It cooks food to nourish people and also represents renewal and accomplishment. Inward yielding responsiveness and outward clear discernment, with firmness and yielding centered and corresponding, allow its nourishing function to be fulfilled.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. The vessel is empty but holds old residue. Turning its legs upward can clear the filth; failure can also become a starting point for renewal.
  2. The vessel already contains substance, so take care in proceeding. Maintaining firm strength at the center prevents nearby temptations from drawing one away from correctness.
  3. The vessel contains good food but cannot be moved: ability remains unused. Maintain correctness while waiting for conditions to come together; the outcome can be auspicious.
  4. Appointing someone incapable while holding high office is like the vessel's leg breaking and spilling its food. Responsibility lies in the unsuitable appointment.
  5. Like a vessel with yellow handles and a strong metal carrying bar, openness at the center can receive firm strength. Steadfast correctness remains the key.
  6. The carrying bar is both solid and gently refined. Firmness and yielding are appropriately balanced, so it is greatly auspicious and nothing is unfavorable.

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