What this hexagram is about
Fire above the wood, the image of cooking — the casting away of the old and the founding of the new. The cauldron is a vessel of weight and steadiness: after change, steady the new order, set its place aright, gather its purpose, and plan for a lasting renewal.
The Judgment 卦辞
鼎，元吉，亨。
Supreme good fortune. Success.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：木上有火，鼎；君子以正位凝命。
Fire over the wood of the cauldron; so the noble person sets right his place and makes firm his destiny.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
鼎颠趾，未悖也。
The cauldron tipped on its legs — yet this is not amiss.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top鼎玉铉，大吉，无不利。
The cauldron is fitted with a carrying-bar of warm jade — the firm and the yielding completing each other, honored and yet gentle; the highest good fortune, and nothing that is not favorable.
Six in the fifth place鼎黄耳金铉，利贞。
The cauldron is fitted with yellow ears and a firm metal carrying-bar — balanced and rightly placed, open-hearted in drawing the worthy near; it is fitting to hold to what is right.
Nine in the fourth place鼎折足，覆公餗，其形渥，凶。
The cauldron's leg snaps and the duke's fine meal is spilled, the vessel itself fouled and smeared — slight virtue in a high seat, strength unequal to the charge, the matter ruined; misfortune.
Six in the third place鼎耳革，其行塞，雉膏不食，方雨亏悔，终吉。
The cauldron's ears are altered and its lifting hindered, so that the rich pheasant stew within cannot for a time be enjoyed; but once yin and yang are brought into accord, like timely rain falling, the want and regret dissolve at last — and in the end, good fortune.
Nine in the second place鼎有实，我仇有疾，不我能即，吉。
The cauldron is filled with food — gifts and virtue full; though my rival bears me envy, he cannot come near to trouble me — good fortune.
Initial Nine鼎颠趾，利出否，得妾以其子，无咎。
The cauldron is overturned upon its legs — seeming amiss, yet just so it pours out the old, caked filth; as one takes a concubine and, through the son she bears, secures the household — there is no fault.