Hexagram 50 – The Cauldron
(Ding / The Sacred Vessel)
Judgment
The Bronze Cauldron is the seal of royal authority.
In ancient times,
kings had vessels cast
to pacify spirits and offer prayers to the gods.
Their beautiful forms and mysterious patterns
gathered the breath of Heaven and Earth
so that all things might be fulfilled.
Within the cauldron, food is prepared
to nourish the people,
and offerings are made for the wise.
If the fire beneath is correct,
the contents simmer perfectly,
and the people enjoy long life.
The ancient alchemists said
that by regulating the furnace fire,
they could transform base metal into gold.
So it is within the human body:
by kindling the inner fire in the DANTIAN (DAN-CHIEN)（丹田）,
circulating vital energy,
a new spirit is born.
The Cauldron
is the sign of life that endures forever.
It governs spiritual renewal.
By purifying yourself and nourishing others,
you receive the blessing of longevity.
Lines
(Please find your line number using the birth-year chart below.)
1.
Turn the cauldron upside down.
Empty the vessel and expel what is unclean.
If one keeps concubines, long life is lost—
yet when a child is born, no blame remains.
2.
The cauldron is filled;
friends look on with envy.
If the gifted protect themselves
and are not drawn into bad company,
no error occurs, and good fortune follows.
3.
The ears of the cauldron are broken.
Nothing progresses.
Even the finest pheasant cannot be eaten.
Yet when Heaven and Earth unite
and rain finally falls,
regret vanishes and good fortune arrives.
4.
The legs of the cauldron break.
The food of the wise is spilled.
Its sacred role cannot be fulfilled.
Misfortune.
5.
The cauldron has golden ears
and rings of gold.
If the heart is upright,
there is something to be gained.
6.
The cauldron bears a ring of precious jade.
Supreme good fortune.
Every wish is fulfilled.
Advice
You possess
a radiant talent like fire itself,
and a free, flexible spirit.
You will accomplish something wonderful.
But do not become intoxicated
by your own gifts.
Never lose respect for others.
For the true power of the Cauldron
lies not in brilliance alone,
but in purifying yourself
and nourishing the world.
Note
DANTIAN (Dan-chien):
an inner center of energy in Eastern thought,
the place where vitality gathers
and inner transformation begins.
| First Line | Second Line | Third Line | Fourth Line | Fifth Line | Sixth Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
| 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
| 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 |
| 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 |
| 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | 1980 | 1979 |
| 1978 | 1977 | 1976 | 1975 | 1974 | 1973 |
| 1972 | 1971 | 1970 | 1969 | 1968 | 1967 |
| 1966 | 1965 | 1964 | 1963 | 1962 | 1961 |
| 1960 | 1959 | 1958 | 1957 | 1956 | 1955 |
| 1954 | 1953 | 1952 | 1951 | 1950 | 1949 |
| 1948 | 1947 | 1946 | 1945 | 1944 | 1943 |
| 1942 | 1941 | 1940 | 1939 | 1938 | 1937 |
| 1936 | 1935 | 1934 | 1933 | 1932 | 1931 |
| 1930 | 1929 | 1928 | 1927 | 1926 | 1925 |
| 1924 | 1923 | 1922 | 1921 | 1920 | 1919 |
| 1918 | 1917 | 1916 | 1915 | 1914 | 1913 |
| 1912 | 1911 | 1910 | 1909 | 1908 | 1907 |
| 1906 | 1905 | 1904 | 1903 | 1902 | 1901 |
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