Hexagram 27 頤 changing to hexagram 50 鼎
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 3, 4.
What to read
Four changing lines: read the two unchanged lines of the resulting hexagram; the lower one is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)
Hexagram 50 鼎, line 5
鼎黃耳金鉉，利貞。
The fifth line, divided, shows the caldron with yellow ears and rings of metal in them. There will be advantage through being firm and correct.
Hexagram 50 鼎, line 6
鼎玉鉉，大吉，无不利。
The sixth line, undivided, shows the caldron with rings of jade. There will be great good fortune, and all action taken will be in every way advantageous.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 27 頤 — judgment
貞吉。觀頤，自求口實。
Î indicates that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (in what is denoted by it). We must look at what we are seeking to nourish, and by the exercise of our thoughts seek for the proper aliment.
Hexagram 50 鼎 — judgment
元吉，亨。
Ting gives the intimation of great progress and success.
The changing lines of hexagram 27
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 舍爾靈龜，觀我朵頤，凶。 | The first line, undivided, (seems to be thus addressed), 'You leave your efficacious tortoise, and look at me till your lower jaw hangs down.' There will be evil. |
| 2 | 顛頤，拂經，于丘頤，征凶。 | The second line, divided, shows one looking downwards for nourishment, which is contrary to what is proper; or seeking it from the height (above), advance towards which will lead to evil. |
| 3 | 拂頤，貞凶，十年勿用，无攸利。 | The third line, divided, shows one acting contrary to the method of nourishing. However firm he may be, there will be evil. For ten years let him not take any action, (for) it will not be in any way advantageous. |
| 4 | 顛頤吉，虎視眈眈，其欲逐逐，无咎。 | The fourth line, divided, shows one looking downwards for (the power to) nourish. There will be good fortune. Looking with a tiger's downward unwavering glare, and with his desire that impels him to spring after spring, he will fall into no error. |
English: James Legge (1882), public domain. Chinese: Zhou Yi.
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0); Chinese Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.