Hexagram 50, Line 4

The Line Text

Interpretation

This is one of the most inauspicious lines in the I Ching. It paints a vivid picture of a catastrophic failure. The Cauldron (鼎), a symbol of sacred duty, nourishment, and state power, is rendered useless by a broken leg. The leg represents the foundation, the support system, or the key personnel entrusted with a task. Because this support fails, the entire vessel topples, spilling the precious contents—the "Duke's meal"—which symbolizes the important project or the benefits intended for the community or a higher authority. The result is not just waste, but public disgrace. "His form is soiled" signifies a loss of face, reputation, and credibility. The person responsible for this disaster is spattered with the mess, their incompetence or poor judgment exposed for all to see. The commentary underscores the core issue: a profound breach of trust. The individual in this position has either been given a task beyond their capabilities or has chosen assistants who are untrustworthy and unreliable, leading to this total collapse. The misfortune is severe because the failure is fundamental.

Guidance for Action

This line serves as a stark warning. You are in a position of responsibility, but the foundation of your endeavor is critically flawed. You must immediately halt and conduct a rigorous assessment of your situation. Examine the people you are relying on. Is your team competent and trustworthy? Are your core assumptions sound? Is your plan built on a solid, stable base? This line suggests you have either overestimated your own abilities or, more likely, misplaced your trust in others who are unequal to the task. Proceeding as you are will lead to a public and humiliating failure. Do not delegate critical responsibilities without absolute certainty of the person's integrity and capability. If a disaster has already occurred, do not make excuses. The only way forward is to accept responsibility for the failure, learn from the profound error in judgment, and begin the long, difficult process of rebuilding trust.

For Love & Relationships

In the context of love and relationships, this line points to a severe, foundational crisis. The "Cauldron" is the relationship itself, and its "broken leg" signifies a fundamental weakness that can no longer support it. This could be a devastating breach of trust, such as infidelity, or the discovery that the relationship was built on a false premise or deep-seated incompatibility. The "Duke's meal" being overturned represents the spilling of all the love, hope, and shared plans for the future. The outcome is a messy, painful, and often public collapse of the relationship. "His form is soiled" points to the shame and emotional damage that follows. If you receive this line, you must honestly assess the core supports of your relationship. Is there a critical, unaddressed weakness that is about to give way? This is a time for brutal honesty, not for patching things over. The line warns that a significant collapse is imminent if the foundational flaw is not recognized.

For Career & Business

This line is a red alert for anyone in a position of authority at work, such as a manager or project lead. The "Cauldron" is your project, your department, or your responsibility. The "broken leg" points directly to a critical weakness in your team or your plan. You may be relying on an incompetent subordinate, a flawed technology, or a faulty strategy. The "Duke's meal" is the successful outcome expected by your superiors or clients. Its overturning signifies a catastrophic project failure, a missed deadline of huge consequence, or a public relations disaster. Your professional reputation ("form is soiled") will be severely damaged, and your credibility ("trust") will be shattered. Take this as an urgent command to stop and review everything. Vet your team members, stress-test your plans, and identify the weak link before it breaks and brings everything crashing down. Do not proceed with any major initiative until you are absolutely certain of its structural integrity.

For Financial Matters

In financial matters, this line is a dire warning of a major loss due to a flawed foundation. The "Cauldron" is your financial plan or a significant investment. The "broken leg" represents a critical, unperceived weakness. This could be reliance on terrible financial advice, investing in a fundamentally unstable company, using a platform with critical security flaws, or simply being over-leveraged. The "overturned meal" is the loss of your capital—a sudden and messy collapse of the investment. "His form is soiled" can mean a damaged credit rating, bankruptcy, or the personal shame of losing your own or others' money. This is not a time for risk. You must immediately re-evaluate your entire portfolio and your financial strategy. Divest from anything that seems "too good to be true" or is supported by questionable advice or people. The risk of a complete wipeout is extremely high.