I Ching · Hexagram 61 of 64
61. Zhōng Fú 中孚 · Inner Truth
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Sincerity reaches even the hardest hearts.
- Upper trigram
- Wind 巽
- Lower trigram
- Lake 兌
What hexagram 61 means
Zhōng Fú shows wind moving over a lake, stirring the surface. It is inner truth. The traditional text says sincerity reaches even pigs and fishes, the hardest to move. Be genuine, open-minded and trustworthy, and you can cross great waters.
Hexagram 61 in daily life
At work
Build trust through honesty and consistency. People follow what they can believe.
In relationships
Speak from the heart. Sincerity connects more than persuasion.
For yourself
Be honest with yourself about what you truly feel and want.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Being prepared and steady brings good fortune. Hidden motives bring unrest. |
| Line 2 | A crane calls in the shade, and its young answer. 'I have a good cup; I'll share it with you.' |
| Line 3 | Finding a companion: now drumming, now stopping, now weeping, now singing. Emotions swing with others. |
| Line 4 | The moon is nearly full. A horse leaves its team to follow what is right: no blame. |
| Line 5 | Truth that links people together. No blame. |
| Line 6 | A rooster's cry rising to heaven. Words without substance; persisting brings misfortune. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Lake 兌 (Duì), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Wind 巽 (Xùn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Wood over Metal. Lake is the trigram of Kua 7 and Wind is the trigram of Kua 4.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 62. Xiǎo Guò 小過 · Small Exceeding
- Trigrams swapped: 28. Dà Guò 大過 · Great Exceeding
Questions to reflect on
- Am I being fully sincere?
- Who hears and responds to me?
- What is true in my heart right now?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.