Yi Jing Hexagram 61 — Inner Truth (Zhōng Fú 中孚): meaning and lines

Upper trigram: ☴ Wind · lower trigram: ☱ Lake

The Judgment

Sincerity that touches even the animals; trust at the center of the heart crosses the great waters.

The ancient ideogram

The archaic ideogram shows a white crane nesting in the heart of the reeds, brooding over its eggs with infinite attention, joined to the drawing of a hand guiding a child with absolute gentleness. "Zhong Fu" symbolises inner truth, the deep certainty of being in one's right place, and the establishment of an unshakeable current of trust that goes beyond words and binds beings together.

The situation it describes

Ethical alignment and perfect accord

This hexagram describes an exceptional phase of harmony, of absolute sincerity and moral uprightness. You are in perfect cohesion with your deep values and your environment; your word is gold and wins immediate adherence. It is the ideal situation for negotiating complex agreements, sealing lasting unions or resolving conflicts by the sole force of your integrity.

The counsel of the figure

Act with total transparency and trust in life

The strategy of right trust requires emptying one's heart of every calculation or ulterior motive: "Thus the Accomplished Being, in examining disputes, defers the application of penalties". Show immense empathy, listen to the other beyond appearances, and let yourself be carried by the situation's supporting wave (like the swimmer who trusts the water). It is through this authentic faith that one manages to "move mountains".

The energetic composition

From a structural point of view, the figure presents a perfect symmetry: two central Yin lines are framed by four Yang lines at the extremities, showing an "empty", available heart surrounded by a firm structure. The Fire of the nuclear hexagram (Li) lights the centre of the figure. The challenge is to maintain this ethical alignment without yielding to naivety.

The six lines, from bottom to top

Each line is read only if it is changing in your cast. A changing line transforms the figure: the link under each text shows which hexagram it leads to.

Line 1 — yang (bottom line) Holding oneself ready, at peace: good fortune; other designs would disturb the rest. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 59 — Dispersion.

Line 2 — yang The crane calls in the shade, its young one answers; I have a fine cup, I will share it with you. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 42 — Increase.

Line 3 — yin One finds a partner; now the drum, now silence; now tears, now songs. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 9 — The Small Taming.

Line 4 — yin The moon nearly full; the team horse loses its mate: no blame. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 10 — Treading.

Line 5 — yang Sincere, binding hearts together: no blame. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 41 — Decrease.

Line 6 — yang (top line) The cockcrow that would rise to heaven; persevering, misfortune (the word that outreaches its range). If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 60 — Limitation.

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Three-coin or yarrow-stalk cast, changing lines, outlook figure — computed on your device, no account.