What is Hexagram 50, The Caldron?
Hexagram 50, The Caldron (鼎 Dǐng), is built from Fire (離 Lí) over Wind (巽 Xùn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as transformation, refinement, nourishment. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 50 is built from Fire (離 Lí) over Wind (巽 Xùn).
- Its central themes, transformation, refinement, nourishment, culture, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Amethyst as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
The Caldron. Supreme good fortune. Success.
The Image
Fire over wood: the image of the Caldron. Thus the superior person consolidates fate by making their position correct.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
Fire over wood, the sacred vessel in which raw is transformed into nourishing. The Caldron is one of the most refined hexagrams: it speaks of civilization, culture, and the transformation of base materials into something that nourishes the spirit. Your question is being held in the caldron of transformation. What is being cooked, refined, purified, elevated, in your life right now?
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“A caldron with legs upturned. Furthers removal of stagnating stuff. One takes a concubine for the sake of the son. No blame.”
Line 2
“There is food in the caldron. My comrades are envious, but they cannot harm me. Good fortune.”
Line 3
“The handle of the caldron is altered. One is impeded in the way of life. The fat of the pheasant is not eaten. Once rain falls, remorse is spent. Good fortune comes in the end.”
Line 4
“The legs of the caldron are broken. The prince's meal is spilled and his person soiled. Misfortune.”
Line 5
“The caldron has yellow handles, golden carrying rings. Perseverance furthers.”
Line 6 (top)
“The caldron has rings of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that would not act to further.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 50
Amethyst
Hold Amethyst while meditating on The Caldron. Its energy resonates with the themes of transformation, refinement, nourishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 50 (The Caldron) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 50, The Caldron (鼎 Dǐng), is read through Fire (離 Lí) over Wind (巽 Xùn). The classical sources describe its themes as transformation, refinement, nourishment. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for The Caldron?
The Judgment reads: "The Caldron. Supreme good fortune. Success.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for The Caldron?
The Image reads: "Fire over wood: the image of the Caldron. Thus the superior person consolidates fate by making their position correct.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 50?
Amethyst is the traditional pairing for The Caldron. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 50 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
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