Inner Truth
Wind (巽 Xùn) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 61, 中孚 (Zhōng Fú), represents Inner Truth.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 61 (中孚 Zhōng Fú). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/zhong-fu). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
中孚：豚魚吉，利涉大川，利貞。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Piglets and fish: good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river; steadfastness is favorable.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
泽上有风,中孚。君子以议狱缓死。
James Legge: (The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and that for wind above it form Kung Fu. The superior man, in accordance with this, deliberates about cases of litigation and delays (the infliction of) death.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初九：虞吉，有它不燕。
James Legge: The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject resting (in himself). There will be good fortune. If he sought to any other, he would not find rest.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
九二：鳴鶴在陰，其子和之。我有好爵，吾與爾靡之。
James Legge: The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject (like) the crane crying out in her hidden retirement, and her young ones responding to her. (It is as if it were said), 'I have a cup of good spirits,' (and the response were), 'I will partake of it with you.'
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
六三：得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。
James Legge: The third SIX, divided, shows its subject having met with his mate. Now he beats his drum, and now he leaves off. Now he weeps, and now he sings.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
六四：月幾望，馬匹亡，无咎。
James Legge: The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject (like) the moon nearly full, and (like) a horse (in a chariot) whose fellow disappears. There will be no error.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五：有孚攣如，无咎。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject perfectly sincere, and linking (others) to him in closest union. There will be no error.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上九：翰音登于天，貞凶。
James Legge: The topmost NINE, undivided, shows its subject in chanticleer (trying to) mount to heaven. Even with firm correctness there will be evil.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Inner Truth can prompt a careful question about the relationship between what a person says, what they do, and what the situation actually supports. Sincerity is not the same as certainty, persuasion, or a promise that others will respond in a particular way.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
A reader may use the figure to examine communication and trust already visible in a situation, while keeping health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 61 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.