Transformation · lines 3, 5, and 6

The Vessel of Nourishment becomes Overwhelmed

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

A lake drained of water: lines three, five and six move, and the vessel becomes Lake over Water. The starting judgment speaks of great good fortune for a change that unfolds naturally, kept going by enthusiasm and a clear sense of your resources. The resulting hexagram, 47 Overwhelmed, describes the opposite feeling: the wrong people around you, words that aren't believed, obstacles on every side. Held in balance, they say your transformation now passes through a narrow, draining stretch. Accept it and wait for better conditions. The flame the judgment speaks of is the inner light you still have, and it's your main resource now. Don't spend it arguing or trying to prove yourself. Keep it alive quietly. What's cooking inside you isn't lost, even if no one can taste it yet.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. The judgment of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment

    It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.

    Great good fortune. Success.

  2. The judgment of 47 Overwhelmed

    Things are very much against you: the wrong people surround you, no one believes what you say, and obstacles hem you in. All you can do is accept it and wait for better conditions to come. Your only resource is the inner light that lives in you; turn to that strength to hold you up right now.

    Success. For the great person, constancy brings good fortune. No fault. They speak and are not believed.

  3. Line 3 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment

    For now you're in a place where your talents and qualities aren't recognized. There's nothing to worry about: if you stay true to yourself and act with integrity, success will come in the end.

    The ears of the cauldron are altered; its going is blocked. The pheasant fat is not eaten. When the rain comes, regret wanes. In the end, good fortune.

  4. Line 5 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment

    Your qualities will carry you to success without your having to prove anything. Naturally, everything will go your way.

    The cauldron with yellow ears and a bar of gold. Constancy is favorable.

  5. Line 6 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment

    Your actions will be richly rewarded. Success in your projects: you find human favor and divine help.

    The cauldron with a bar of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that is not favorable.

The trigrams

Below Wind Water
Above Fire Lake

The way back

47 Overwhelmed → 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
lines 3, 5, and 6

Other transformations of The Vessel of Nourishment

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins