Hexagram 50, Line 3

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line describes a situation of frustrating blockage and wasted potential. The Cauldron (Ding) is a vessel of great value, filled with rich nourishment (the pheasant fat). However, its "ears," or handles, are broken or altered, making it impossible to move and serve its contents. This symbolizes a valuable project, talent, or resource that is rendered useless by a critical flaw in its implementation or support structure. The "handling is impeded," signifying that progress is completely stalled. The delicious food inside goes uneaten, a metaphor for unrecognized worth, wasted opportunity, and unfulfilled potential. This leads to deep regret and frustration. However, the situation is not hopeless. The line concludes with a promise of resolution: "When rain falls, remorse is lessened. In the end, good fortune." The "rain" represents a cleansing, a new influence, a moment of clarity, or help from an external source that resolves the blockage. Patience is required to wait for this opportune moment. Once the functional flaw is corrected, the inherent value can be realized, and the initial frustration gives way to ultimate success.

Guidance for Action

Acknowledge that you are currently blocked. You may have a brilliant idea, a valuable skill, or a worthy goal, but the means to achieve it are flawed or missing. Pushing forward aggressively will only lead to more frustration. Instead, step back and diagnose the problem. What are the "broken ears" in your situation? Is it a communication breakdown, a lack of key resources, a dysfunctional team, or a flaw in your plan? Do not abandon your valuable "pheasant fat" out of frustration. Protect your core idea or talent. The key now is patience. Wait for the right conditions to emerge—the "rain." Be open to new insights, outside help, or a shift in circumstances that will fix the structural problem. This is a temporary setback, not a permanent failure. By waiting for the right moment to act, you can overcome the obstacle and achieve the success that was initially thwarted.

For Love & Relationships

In a relationship, this line points to a significant but correctable problem in communication or connection. The love and potential between you and your partner (the pheasant fat) are real and valuable, but you are unable to enjoy or express them fully. The "broken ears" suggest a breakdown in how you "handle" the relationship—perhaps you don't know how to talk about difficult subjects, make plans together, or offer mutual support effectively. Progress feels stalled, and the goodness of the relationship is going to waste, leading to sadness and regret. The advice is not to force things or give up. Instead, wait for a moment of clarity or a new approach (the "rain"). This could be a heartfelt conversation that finally breaks the silence, a third-party perspective, or an external event that brings you together. Patience and a willingness to repair the way you connect will ultimately resolve the issue and lead to good fortune.

For Career & Business

This line speaks to a situation where your talents and hard work (the pheasant fat) are not being recognized or utilized. You are in a role or on a project with great potential, but it is stalled due to a structural or procedural flaw (the broken ears). This could be a lack of support from management, a dysfunctional team dynamic, poor communication channels, or a flawed strategy. You feel stuck, unable to move forward, and your valuable contributions are being wasted. This is deeply frustrating. Do not react by quitting in haste or becoming cynical. Your value is real. The solution lies in waiting for a change—the "rain." This might be a corporate restructuring, a new manager who sees your worth, or a new opportunity that allows you to apply your skills. The blockage is temporary. When the circumstances change, your worth will be recognized, and your career will advance successfully.

For Financial Matters

You possess valuable assets, investments, or a solid financial plan (the pheasant fat), but you are currently unable to access or benefit from them. The "broken ears" signify a logistical or structural blockage. This could manifest as frozen assets, bureaucratic red tape preventing a transaction, a market that is too unfavorable to sell in, or a flaw in the mechanism for realizing your profits. The value is there, but it is locked up and inaccessible, causing you anxiety and regret ("remorse"). It is crucial not to make panicked decisions. Forcing the issue could lead to losses. The guidance is to be patient and wait for a favorable shift—the "rain." This could be a change in regulations, a market recovery, or the arrival of necessary paperwork. The situation will resolve itself in time, and you will eventually be able to access your wealth and achieve good fortune.