Hexagram 50 鼎 changing to hexagram 49 革
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 1, 2, 5, 6.
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 49 革, line 3
征凶，貞厲，革言三就，有孚。
The third line, undivided, shows that action taken by its subject will be evil. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous. If the change (he contemplates) have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.
Hexagram 49 革, line 4
悔亡，有孚改命，吉。
The fourth line, undivided, shows occasion for repentance disappearing (from its subject). Let him be believed in; and though he change (existing) ordinances, there will be good fortune.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 50 鼎 — judgment
元吉，亨。
Ting gives the intimation of great progress and success.
Hexagram 49 革 — judgment
已日乃孚，元亨。利貞。悔亡。
(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.
The changing lines of hexagram 50
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 鼎顛趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎。 | The first line, divided, shows the caldron overthrown and its feet turned up. (But) there will be advantage in its getting rid of what was bad in it. (Or it shows us) the concubine (whose position is improved) by means of her son. There will be no error. |
| 2 | 鼎有實，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。 | The second line, undivided, shows the caldron with the things (to be cooked) in it. (If its subject can say), 'My enemy dislikes me, but he cannot approach me' there will be good fortune. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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.