50 Ting / The Cauldron

The hexagram Ting is represented by the trigram Li above the trigram Xun.

"The ting, cast of bronze, was the vessel that held the cooked viands in the temple of the ancestors and at banquets. The head of the family served the food from the ting into the bowls of the guests. The ting, as a utensil pertaining to a refined civilization, suggests the fostering and nourishing of able men, which redounded to the benefit of the state.

The ting serves in offering sacrifice to God. The supreme revelation of God appears in prophets and holy men. The will of God, as revealed through them, should be accepted in humility; this brings inner enlightenment and true understanding of the world which leads to great good fortune and success." [W/B]

Each of the eight trigrams has several attributes. At the fundamental layer, Li represents fire and Xun represents wood. Fire over Wood shows the image of wood nourishing fire based on the interaction of the five celestial elements. (Further information on this layer can be read from the Zhouyi.)

Li also represents the Sun and the Light; and Xun the wind. Fire, wood (or trees), the Sun, the Light and the wind are metaphors expressed in neidan (inner alchemy) texts; consequently references are made in the hexagram text to nourishment of the spirit, inner enlightenment and hints about fostering of life in the secret teachings of Chinese yoga.

On a deeper level of study, it is of interest to note that when Wind comes forth from Fire it is the image of 37 Chia Ren / The Family (Xun above Li) as both Xun and Li has yet another set of attributes for cardinal virtues (De). Cultivating virtues is just as important as meditation in nourishing life and attaining enlightenment. Furthermore there are no religious overtones in their cultivation for the purification of hsin (heart/mind).

Confucius probably took Chia Ren and the Ting hexagrams (together with two other related hexagrams) to arrive at the maxim of, which I paraphrase, “first regulate self, then regulate family, to regulate the country”, thereby fostering and nourishing able men which redounded to the benefit of the state.

If my rambling thoughts in the last three paragraphs are so to speak above your head, just be aware of them. They are meant for deep thinkers, neidan and Yi experts to ponder upon.