Hexagram 50 of 64
The Caldron 火风鼎
☲☴ Fire over Wind
Renewal and a new order.
In the I Ching, Hexagram 50 is the cauldron: the vessel where raw ingredients become nourishing food. It stands for refinement, a new order and steady purpose. Its warning is about overload. When the legs give way, the meal is lost. Transform carefully, and keep the vessel balanced.
Judgment
元吉，亨。
Sublime good fortune. Success.
Image
木上有火，鼎；君子以正位凝命。
Fire above wood: the cauldron. The noble person keeps to their proper place and steadies their purpose.
The six lines
Read from the bottom line (the beginning) to the top line (the outcome). Each line gives the classical text, our English translation, and a plain-language reading.
初六：鼎颠趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎。
The cauldron is turned over to empty what has spoiled. Finding a helper through a family tie brings no blame.
Clearing out old, spoiled material is useful, even when it looks like a setback.
九二：鼎有实，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。
The cauldron is full. My rival is ill and cannot come near me. Good fortune.
A full, well-supplied position is hard for rivals to reach. Good fortune comes from being well stocked.
九三：鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食，方雨亏悔，终吉。
The cauldron's handles are damaged, and it cannot be moved. The pheasant broth goes uneaten. Then rain comes, the regret fades, and in the end, good fortune.
A vessel that has lost its handles cannot be carried easily. Repair it, and the blockage clears.
九四：鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
The cauldron's leg breaks and the duke's meal is spilled, and he is drenched in disgrace. Misfortune.
Overloading a structure that cannot bear the weight causes spoilage and loss, and the leader carries the shame.
六五：鼎黄耳金铉，利贞。
The cauldron has yellow handles and a metal carrying pole. It is favorable to persevere.
Sound, well-balanced equipment lets you carry what needs carrying. Keep it in good order.
上九：鼎玉铉，大吉，无不利。
The cauldron has a jade carrying pole. Great good fortune, and nothing unfavorable.
The same tool, refined to its finest, brings the greatest good fortune. Carrying the load gently and well leads to success.
In practice
Love and relationships
A relationship being slowly transformed into something new. Keep the pot balanced: avoid piling on obligations, and let each person carry a fair share.
Work and decisions
A transition or reorganization that changes the output. Keep the core team's tools sound, and do not overload the people who hold the structure together.
Money
Refine your approach rather than expanding recklessly. Focus on quality, and keep the load within what you can carry.
How to use this reading
Name what needs to change, and where the structure is being overloaded.
New to the method? Start with the six-line basics.
For cultural reflection only. This is not a prediction guarantee or professional advice.