The Cauldron

鼎顛趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎。

The vessel overturns its feet. It is useful to empty what is unfit. A secondary wife gains standing through her son. No fault.

The overturned cauldron can be emptied of spoiled contents; the second image concerns a secondary wife honored through her son. Changing Line 1 gives Heaven below Fire, Hexagram 14. The comparison concerns what is discarded, retained, or valued.

鼎有實，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。

The cauldron contains food. My counterpart is afflicted and cannot approach me. Favorable.

The cauldron has food, but the afflicted counterpart cannot approach. Line 2 changes lower Wind to Mountain, producing Hexagram 56. The comparison places nourishment beside a traveler’s limited support.

鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食。方雨虧悔，終吉。

The cauldron's handles are altered, blocking its movement; rich pheasant meat goes uneaten. Rain is coming, and regret diminishes. In the end, favorable.

Altered handles prevent the cauldron from being carried, leaving rich food unused; the line later allows regret to lessen. Changing Line 3 makes Water below Fire, Hexagram 64. Before Completion offers a comparison with prepared food that cannot yet be used.

鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。

The vessel breaks a leg and spills the duke's stew. The one responsible is flushed with shame. Misfortune.

A broken leg spills food intended for the duke. The line’s shame reading is retained here; Zhu Xi records a variant concerning severe punishment. Changing Line 4 makes Mountain above Wind, Hexagram 18, allowing a comparison with the work of addressing decay.

鼎黃耳金鉉，利貞。

The cauldron has yellow handles and a metal carrying bar. Constancy is beneficial.

Yellow handles and a strong carrying bar make the cauldron usable, while the verdict still calls for constancy. Changing Line 5 makes Heaven above Wind, Hexagram 44. The comparison places the equipment needed for service beside the theme of an encounter.

鼎玉鉉，大吉，无不利。

The vessel has a jade carrying bar. Greatly favorable. Nothing is without benefit.

The jade carrying bar completes the cauldron image with an unqualified favorable verdict. Changing Line 6 makes Thunder above Wind, Hexagram 32. The completed vessel can be considered alongside the theme of duration.