Hexagram 50. The Vessel (鼎 Dǐng)

Trigrams

Above

☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance

Below

☴ Xùn (Wind) — 風 · Penetrating

Symbolic Meaning

鼎 (Dǐng) describes a vessel used for transformation and refinement. It is the structure through which raw input is processed into something of value.

Fire above wood shows transformation through sustained input. What enters the system is altered and elevated through proper structure and function.

Judgment

Original Chinese:
鼎，元吉，亨。
(Dǐng, yuán jí, hēng.)

"The Vessel. Primary favorable outcome. Smooth progress."

This hexagram describes a system that properly transforms and refines what it receives. When structure and function are aligned, output becomes valuable and sustaining.

Success comes from correct configuration. The system itself becomes the source of nourishment and meaning.

Image

Original Chinese:
木上有火，鼎。君子以正位凝命。
(Mù shàng yǒu huǒ, dǐng. Jūn zǐ yǐ zhèng wèi níng mìng.)

"Fire burns above the wood: the vessel. The superior person sets position aright and stabilizes the mandate."

Transformation requires proper arrangement. Heat, input, and containment must be aligned.

When structure is correct, function becomes stable and output becomes reliable.

Line 1

Original Chinese:
鼎顛趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎。
(Dǐng diān zhǐ, lì chū pǐ, dé qiè yǐ qí zǐ, wú jiù.)

"The vessel is inverted. It is favorable to remove what is corrupted. Renewal occurs. No error."

At the beginning, the system must be cleared. Old or degraded content must be removed before proper function begins.

Reset enables correct operation.

Line 2

Original Chinese:
鼎有實，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。
(Dǐng yǒu shí, wǒ chóu yǒu jí, bù wǒ néng jí, jí.)

"The vessel is filled and functioning. Interference cannot reach it. Favorable outcome."

The system is operating correctly and is internally stable.

External disruption has no effect when internal integrity is maintained.

Line 3

Original Chinese:
鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食，方雨虧悔，終吉。
(Dǐng ěr gé, qí xíng sè, zhì gāo bù shí, fāng yǔ kuī huǐ, zhōng jí.)

"The vessel’s structure is altered, blocking function. Output is delayed. When conditions resolve, regret resolves. Ending in a favorable outcome."

A structural issue interrupts processing. The system cannot deliver its output.

Once alignment returns, function resumes and the outcome stabilizes.

Line 4

Original Chinese:
鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
(Dǐng zhé zú, fù gōng sù, qí xíng wò, xiōng.)

"The vessel collapses. Its contents are lost. Unfavorable outcome."

Core structural failure leads to total loss of output.

This represents a breakdown in system integrity—failure of support invalidates the entire process.

Line 5

Original Chinese:
鼎黃耳金鉉，利貞。
(Dǐng huáng ěr jīn xuàn, lì zhēn.)

"The vessel has yellow ears and a golden carrying ring. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned."

The system reaches optimal configuration. Components are correctly balanced and supported.

Sustained correctness ensures continued success.

Line 6

Original Chinese:
鼎玉鉉，大吉，无不利。
(Dǐng yù xuàn, dà jí, wú bù lì.)

"The vessel has a jade carrying ring. Strong favorable outcome. Nothing is unfavorable."

The system reaches its highest form—fully functional, stable, and refined.

At this stage, output is consistent and universally beneficial.