Zhong Fu 風澤中孚
A time when trust gets through
Sincerity connects. Pretense or lies are quickly exposed, so be honest.
What does I Ching hexagram 61 (Inner Truth) mean?
Trust that wells up from within. Genuine sincerity moves people and situations.
- Inner Truth in love
- A relationship of trust where hearts connect.
- Inner Truth at work and with money
- Honesty and trust bring big things to completion.
- Advice
- A sincere heart is the greatest power.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Inner Truth
Very auspicious“Pigs and fish: good fortune. It is fitting to cross the great river; it is fitting to persevere.”
The Image: Wind over the lake: inner truth. The noble person deliberates over cases and delays executions.
原文 · 豚魚吉，利涉大川，利貞。 / 澤上有風，中孚；君子以議獄緩死。
The six lines of hexagram 61
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初九
Auspicious“Being prepared brings good fortune; if there is another, no peace.”
Settle on one trusted commitment. Divided loyalty means unease.
原文 · 虞吉，有它不燕。
Line 2 · 九二
Neutral“A crane calls in the shade, its young answer it. I have a good cup; I will share it with you.”
Real connection and sharing between hearts, without calculation.
原文 · 鳴鶴在陰，其子和之，我有好爵，吾與爾靡之。
Line 3 · 六三
Neutral“Meeting an opponent: now drumming, now stopping; now weeping, now singing.”
Your moods swing with someone else’s. Don’t let outside things control you.
原文 · 得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。
Line 4 · 六四
No blame“The moon is nearly full; the team of horses is lost; no blame.”
Let go of the rivalry. Loss of the old pairing is fine.
原文 · 月既望，馬匹亡，无咎。
Line 5 · 九五
No blame“Sincerity that binds closely; no blame.”
Firm trust holds a group together. Good.
原文 · 有孚攣如，无咎。
Line 6 · 上九
Misfortune“The rooster’s cry rises to heaven; perseverance brings misfortune.”
Making a lot of noise with no substance is empty and risky.
原文 · 翰音登于天，貞凶。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 62. Xiao Guo (Small Excess)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.