鼎
GUA 50 · DING
THE CAULDRON
Overall Image (大象)
Over the wood is a flame
The cauldron
The noble young one applies principles of positioning
to manifest higher purpose▼
Overall Image (大象)
Over the wood is a flame
The cauldron
The noble young one applies principles of positioning
to manifest higher purpose
As wood and wind feed the flame from below, the dumb log turns itself back into sunshine. Tending the flame is the alchemist, who has set things up to put heat and light to higher new uses. Positioned above the flame sits the cauldron. By formula and recipe, the raw stuff comes together, to converge in expected results, the higher purpose and principles to which these changes are offered. The wise are attempting to create a higher culture, by nourishing health and excellence, nobility and an ethic. The shamans, with potions and medicines, create the changes in their altered states. Knowledge as science applied must regard the present, but this will serve a purpose.
Main Judgment (The Cauldron) (卦辞)
The most promising offering▼
Main Judgment (The Cauldron) (卦辞)
The most promising offering
The sovereign would rather rule a more highly developed culture. To this end, he can use his position, and what he knows about science, to nourish and bring out the best that is in his people. The sage tends the flame and the cauldron to secure the success of the offering. The formula that early alchemists looked for was at work beneath their crucibles the whole time they sought it above. They merely needed to make the analogy live, to apply it in broader ways. For the chef, as well, who would nourish humanity’s promise: the first things he needs are fuel, a good draft of air and some sparks. And next, a place dedicated to change, raw spicy stuff and good appetites. The alchemy serves higher purpose and powers, the leadenness of our being turns into gold, into a life to which we give value; the belly turns food into light, a stew is transformed to serenity, courage and wisdom. Delightful aromas entice the spirits to help us. So what is sacrificed here, besides a few logs, and these basic ingredients, submitted for transformation? To sacrifice does not mean to lose things: it means to make them sacred. Thus the past is made sacred here, redeemed for a higher value.
Key Words (关键词)
Crucible, tripod, a sacrificial cooking vessel; consecrated or dedicated offerings▼
Key Words (关键词)
Crucible, tripod, a sacrificial cooking vessel; consecrated or dedicated offerings
Dedicated change, change by design, science as art; applied heat and knowledge Refinement, sublimation, purification, alchemy, the great work of transformation Symbol of dynastic foundation & creative power; nourishment of ability, nobility Pragmatic utility, specific utility; excellence by design, instrumentality, formulae Realizing potential in raw material, social engineering, creation of higher culture
Structure & Connections
Structure Class
Kan-Li Family
This classification indicates the hexagram's role in the 12 Sovereign Cycle (Earthly Branches) or its structural family.
Astrology
note:Mercury in Fire
planet:Mercury
element:Fire
Tarot
card:Eight of Wands
suit:Wands
Qabalah
note:Hod in Atziluth
sphere:Hod
The Lines
11st • YangA cauldron with upended feet
Worthwhile to expel the stagnating
Accepting a concubine for the sake of her child
Is without blame▼
1
1st • YangA cauldron with upended feet
Worthwhile to expel the stagnating
Accepting a concubine for the sake of her child
Is without blame
50.1x A cauldron (with) upended feet:
As yet nothing improper
* Worthwhile to expel the stagnating:
In order to attend to (what is) valued
It might be a matter of principle to adhere to things as they are, for loyalty’s sake, or abide by promises made at some earlier time. But when this comes to alchemy, and service to higher purposes, what stays fixed in time is the log or the lead, and neither of these is the outcome desired. The cauldron might be filled with hot food, but if the food is no longer good, the cauldron should be overturned. A noble might have a faithful wife by his side, but if she cannot give him heirs, the concubine can. The cauldron transforms the old, makes it entirely new, but blame sees only the past. The hope of transformation, indeed, the hope for our future, might lie opposed to a truth which is static or ritual. When it does, a better future can rightly be thought to come first, and the means which might be questioned today be justified tomorrow.
22nd • YangThe cauldron holds substance
Our counterparts have anxieties
This is not in our scope of pursuits
Promising▼
2
2nd • YangThe cauldron holds substance
Our counterparts have anxieties
This is not in our scope of pursuits
Promising
50.2x The cauldron holds substance:
Be mindful of function here
* Our counterparts hold anxieties:
In the end, no reproach
The nobleman on his journey is careful where he stays. His cauldron is small, but sufficient, his meal, sustaining and hot, and his flame is nearly concealed. Having learned to do more with less, good meals are the least of his worries. He will simply meet his needs in the order in which they’re important. Somehow his satisfaction is making his rivals uneasy. He is envied by the wealthy for having no use for gold, and even reproached by thieves for having nothing worth stealing. These troubles are not his problem, but are as much a part of a camp as the bugs or the views. Our best can thrive on simplicity: we don’t need to be gluttons here. Although it might take a great deal of wealth to sustain a noble class, a class is not what we mean by nobility. Noble ones work out their own problems first, then they lead by example.
33rd • YangThe cauldron’s ears have been altered
Its function is impaired
The pheasant’s rich meat is not eaten
A sudden rain would diminish regrets
In the end, an opportunity▼
3
3rd • YangThe cauldron’s ears have been altered
Its function is impaired
The pheasant’s rich meat is not eaten
A sudden rain would diminish regrets
In the end, an opportunity
50.3x The cauldron’s ears (have been) altered:
Disregarding their significance
He’s fashioned a fine looking cauldron, but the handles are all wrong, maybe placed according to artful ideals, with little regard for function and balance. Somehow he’s missed the idea. So his cauldron gets stuck in the fire, as the fat pheasant gets stuck in the cauldron. Now will his belly begin to resent his artisic direction in life, as he watches his bird turn black. This could have been handled better. This is a bad way to sacrifice pheasant: it might as well be crow. Should he try out some frantic rain dance, hoping to quench the flames? Or is it time to learn to rely on something more pragmatic, or more scientific than luck? As he gnaws on cold, wet bird, he ponders designs for accessible cauldrons. A philosophy might look attractive, and sell, but if we can’t use it it’s not in reach. We need to get a grip, a grasp on practical things.
44th • YangA cauldron with a broken leg
Overturning the duke’s meal
His person is soiled
Woe▼
4
4th • YangA cauldron with a broken leg
Overturning the duke’s meal
His person is soiled
Woe
50.4x Overturning the duke’s meal:
Trust (was) such a burden
The young servant comes to believe he has already learned and transformed enough, so he starts to look out for things higher above, perhaps the position of royal chef. But a master chef or alchemist is never done learning the basics. Creative arts and sciences change premises and postulates too quickly. And a place of power is no place to last without changing. This servant could not help but see that broken leg, but feels compelled to serve the duke’s meal anyway. The meal becomes a stain. Everything is sacrificed, the sacred is profaned. The shame comes too late and the servant had best be packing for exile. The next staff has fewer inferior traits, as if defects were burned off in some kind of crucible. It is good to rise to one’s limits, even of competence. But a true transformation will upgrade the limits themselves.
55th • YangA cauldron with golden ears
And metal grip
Rewarding to persist▼
5
5th • YangA cauldron with golden ears
And metal grip
Rewarding to persist
50.5x A cauldron (with) golden ears:
In balance in order to effect realities
The cauldron is pleasing and functional, sturdy enough to stand up to the average fool’s abuse, yet well enough made to serve at the finest occasions. It receives real food from above and below, sometimes leftover stew and sometimes ambrosia and manna. It commands respect for its utility and its appearance. So too is the life of a noble who would help his people transform. He is approachable to his people and he makes himself accessible, but he keeps enough dignified distance to maintain a useful respect. The design here is almost complete. Well-balanced will mean bottom heavy, weighted a little towards practical function. The metal grip will mean that this must be handled with gloves, but also that it can lift a substantial meal. Someone is sure to make gloves another step in the ceremony, instead of wrapping the handle.
6Top • YangA cauldron with a jade grip
Very promising
Nothing cannot be turned to advantage▼
6
Top • YangA cauldron with a jade grip
Very promising
Nothing cannot be turned to advantage
50.6x A jade grip across the top:
The firm (and) the flexible (are) in due proportion
The cauldron has a carrying ring fashioned from a fine piece of jade. Sensibility and sensitivity find common ground in a stylish understatement. A pleasant and useful presence will combine the best of both worlds. This cauldron will not be abused or ignored, or carried by random people to random places, or hung up on rusty nails. Respect can be a part of design. It’s the thing that will make people say: They don’t make them like they used to. It’s the classical, timeless elements that will set it above all the fashions and trends, those things which are not made to last. So too with the sage and his teachings: he may lean more than a little towards the things we have handed down, and less towards the latest trends that have the new age so excited. He still wants the new, it’s still about changes, but he wants to use finer ingredients.
Reference in Original Text & Resources
This content is derived from Bradford Hatcher's THE BOOK OF CHANGES: Yijing, Word By Word.
Original text for Hexagram 50 begins on Page 360-368.
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