Book of Changes

Chapter 51

Xia Sunda Shangli
"Problem Solving"

The hexagram "Ding" is also called "Fire Wind Ding".

"Ding", a cooking utensil.The first yin of this hexagram is the foot, the second, third and fourth yang are the abdomen, the five yin are the ears, the six yang are the xuan, and the image of the tripod is also.

"Xu Gua Zhuan" said: "There is no one who changes things like a tripod, so he received it with a tripod." Kong Yingda's "Zhou Yi Zhengyi" said: "This hexagram shows the revolution of a sage and shows the law of things, but the new system has the meaning of a tripod; Mu Xunhuo has the image of a tripod, so it is called "Ding Yan." After the revolution, it is necessary to establish a new legal system to consolidate the achievements of the revolution and build a new life, and the tripod is not only a tool for "revolution" but also an institutional system for revising the law. Therefore, the hexagram "Ding" follows the hexagram "Ge".

Ding is a vessel highly valued by the ancients. It is used on solemn occasions and endowed with rich symbolic meanings.Cooking food with a tripod has the meaning of nourishing virtuous people.Turning life into maturity has the potential for change.The tripod has three legs, and it has the image of stability.Cheng Yi said: "The tripod is a big vessel and a heavy treasure... In terms of shape, the ears are planted on the top, and the feet stand on the bottom. The circumference is round and inside, high and low, thick and thin, there is no way to be right, to be right. Then it becomes the image of An Chong, so the tripod is the tool of the law, and the hexagram is the tripod, because of its image." In this way, "Ding" finally became a "dharma weapon" symbolizing power.

The "ding" in the hexagrams is obviously its early meaning, which is just a "need for life", and this need revolves around men.This is a manifestation of the emphasis on labor, and it also shows that its rules are only "initial".

"original"

"Ding": Yuan Ji, Heng.

The sixth day: The tripod bumps its toe, and the benefits come out; if you get a concubine and give him a son, there is no blame.

Ninety-two: The tripod is solid, my hatred has illness, if I can't, it's good.

Nine three: tripod ear leather, its travel is blocked, and the pheasant ointment cannot be eaten; Fang Yu, regretful, and finally auspicious.

Ninth Fourth: The tripod breaks the feet and covers the public scorpion, its shape is fertile and fierce.

Sixth Five-Year: Ding Huang Er Jin Xuan, Li Zhen.

Upper Nine: Ding Yuxuan, good luck, no disadvantages.

"Translation"

The hexagram "Ding" symbolizes the tripod: it is auspicious and prosperous.

On the sixth line of the first day, the legs of the tripod are turned upside down, which is good for dumping waste; there is nothing wrong with taking a concubine in order to get a son.

Nine and two lines, there is food in the tripod, my resentful spouse (say she) is sick and cannot eat with me, auspicious (no quarrels will happen).

In the third line of the ninth line, the ears of the tripod fell off and could not be moved, and there was no pheasant soup to eat; it was raining, and there were fewer and fewer (eatable) things, regretful, and finally auspicious.

In the ninth and fourth lines, the legs of the tripod were broken, and the father-in-law's Bazhen porridge was overturned, and the porridge flowed everywhere, which was dangerous.

Sixth and fifth lines, the tripod ears are yellow, and the tripod bars are made of copper, which is good for keeping upright.

On the upper nine lines, the tripod and bars are decorated with jade, which is very auspicious and has no disadvantages.

"original"

"Tuan" says: "Ding" is like an image; wood and fire are used to cook.The sage enjoys God, and the tycoon feeds the sages.Sunda is intelligent in ears and eyes, soft and upward, and moderate in response to rigidity, so it is "Yuanheng".

"Translation"

"Tuan Ci" says: The hexagram image of "Ding" hexagram is in the shape of a big tripod; firewood is used to light a flame to cook food.The sage cooks food to sacrifice to the Emperor of Heaven, and cooks more food to cultivate talents.Humble and smart, gentle and moving forward, getting in the middle and corresponding to masculinity, so it can be "greatly auspicious".

"original"

"Xiang" said: "There is fire on wood, "Ding".A gentleman lives in the right position. "The tripod bumps its toes" is not contradictory; "There is truth in the tripod", so be careful about what you say; "Ding ear leather" loses its meaning. "Fu Gongfu", what about the letter? "Ding Huang Er" is believed to be true. "Yuxuan" is on the top, and the section of rigidity and softness is also.

"Translation"

"Xiang Ci" says: Firewood ignites a flame, which is the image of the hexagram "Ding".From this, a gentleman realizes that he should correct his position and accept his mission.

(The sixth line of the first day) "The legs of the tripod are overturned", which is not contrary to common sense. "It is beneficial to throw out waste" means that this kind of action follows the principle that mothers give more.

(Ninth second line) "There is food in the tripod", which means that it should be moved carefully. "My spouse (says she) is sick" but will get better eventually.

(Ninth third line) "The ears of the tripod fall off" means that the obligation cannot be fulfilled.

(Ninth and fourth line) "I overturned my father-in-law's Bazhen porridge", how can I trust her?

(sixth and fifth lines) "Ding's ears are yellow" means that the middle way must be the foundation.

(Upper Nine Lines) The ending of "Jade on the Tripod and the Bar" pursues firmness, softness and restraint.

(End of this chapter)