Hexagram 50 Line 4: 九四

Ding The Cauldron

Position: Line 4 (Upper Trigram)九四 Yang ⚊ (Solid)Register: inauspiciousFamous Line

Classical Chinese Text

九四 鼎折足。覆公餗。其形渥。凶。

鼎折足。覆公餗

Wilhelm Translation

The legs of the vessel are broken. The prince's meal is spilled And his person is soiled. Misfortune.

Commentary

The cauldron's legs broken, the prince's meal spilled, his person soiled. Weakness in high position with large plans and heavy responsibility—Confucius says this seldom escapes disaster.

When This Line Changes

If Line 4 changes, Hexagram 50 Ding (The Cauldron) transforms into Hexagram 18 Gu (Work on What Has Been Spoiled).

(50)
(18)

Parent Hexagram

The Cauldron
Ding (50)

Fire () over Wind ()

Upper Trigram: Fire | Lower Trigram: Wind