Hexagram 50 · Line 1
The Cauldron — 初九
Ding · Chu Jiu
初九 · Chu Jiu
The Line
A caldron with overturned legs. Favorable to the removal of the stagnant. One takes a concubine for the sake of her son. No blame.
Interpretation
When one turns the caldron upside down before one puts it into use, it means nothing; on the contrary, the refuse comes out in this way. A concubine is in herself lowly, but because she has a son, she comes to honor. These two similes express the thought that in times of high culture, as are suggested by the hexagram, anyone of good will can somehow arrive. Even if one is ever so lowly, if one is only ready to cleanse oneself, one will be accepted. One comes into a situation in which one can prove fruitful in accomplishments and as a result finds recognition.