61. Inner Truth (中孚)

Line 2

If this line changes it transforms into 42. Increase (益)

Modern reading

Hexagram 61, line 2 portrays authentic inner virtue resonating across distances, illustrating how unforced sincerity naturally attracts kindred spirits. Sharing achievements openly with trusted peers solidifies mutual respect and amplifies shared prosperity.

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I Ching / BaZi reading request (from eastalmanac.com).
Page: Hexagram 61 中孚 — Line 2.
Interpret through classical principles in two layers: 1) Structural Evidence: identify key line dynamics, changing line pivot, or element balance. 2) Actionable Verdict: direct answer to the inquiry in plain language, followed by 2–3 concrete next steps (action-verb first) and mindful cautions. Grounded wisdom for self-reflection. Source page:
https://eastalmanac.com/yijing/61/2

I Ching casting

Occupying the center of the lower trigram, this yang line embodies profound inner truth that naturally evokes an answering echo from the world.

Traditional readings celebrate the crane calling from the shade to receive its young's heartfelt response, showing that true substance needs no ostentatious display to be heard.

Operating from heartfelt integrity ensures your initiatives attract enthusiastic and genuine cooperation.

Career

Professional competence and genuine integrity build a compelling reputation that speaks louder than overt self-promotion.

Traditional principles emphasize that virtue carries far even from the shadows, prompting peers and subordinates to genuinely recognize your decisions and proactively collaborate.

Focusing quietly on superior execution will naturally attract the recognition and support of key collaborators.

Love & relationships

Deep emotional rapport is forged through spontaneous, soulful resonance that requires neither pretense nor elaborate staging. Traditional perspectives highlight the instinctive bond between like minds, where openhearted sharing creates genuine closeness and mutual delight.

Being entirely genuine with your partner deepens intimacy and creates an effortless mutual understanding.

Wealth

Financial endeavors prosper when opportunities, resources, and profits are shared transparently with dependable partners.

Classical texts emphasize sharing the fine cup with peers, indicating that equitable distribution strengthens commercial alliances and safeguards long-term gains. Committing to fair partnerships and reciprocal transparency creates sustainable collective prosperity.

References

Original text

Line statement

2. The second line, 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), 4 1 have a cup of good spirits/ (and the response were), 4 1 will partake of it with you.'

Small Image

‘Her young ones respond to her:’—from the (common) wish of the inmost heart.

Classical commentary

Zhouyi BenyiLine statement

'He' (respond) is pronounced with the falling tone of hu-wo. 'Mi' is pronounced as a fanqie of wang-chi.

Nine in the Second Place possesses the reality of Inner Truth, and Nine in the Fifth Place also responds with the reality of Inner Truth. Thus there is the image of 'a crane calling in the shade, its young harmonizing with it; I have a fine goblet, I will share it with you.'

The crane in the shade refers to the nine residing in the second position; the fine goblet refers to attaining the Central Position. 'Mi' is identical to 'mi' (to tie/share).

This means that splendid virtue is what people love; hence, although the fine goblet is held by me alone, the other party also cherishes and longs for it. 'Foe' refers to Nine at the Top, where trust has reached its exhaustion.

Six in the Third Place is yin, yielding, neither central nor correct; dwelling at the extreme of Joy, it corresponds with Nine at the Top. Hence it cannot master itself, and its image is like this.

'Ji' (nearly) is pronounced like ji; 'wang' (full moon) is pronounced as a fanqie of wu-fang.

Six in the Fourth Place resides in a yin position, attains Correct Position, and is close to the ruler; this is the image of the moon nearly full. 'A team of horses' means the first line is a match for oneself.

The fourth line cuts off ties with it and ascends in trust to the fifth; hence the image of 'the team of horses is lost.' If the diviner acts like this, there will be no blame. 'Shang' is in the rising tone.

Yichuan YizhuanLine statement

The second line is firm and solid, representing the utmost of Inner Truth. When sincere trust is consummate, it resonates and communicates.

A crane calling from a hidden place cannot be heard, yet its offspring responds in harmony; the desires of their inner hearts communicate with one another. 'I possess a fine goblet, and you too long for it with admiration': their appreciation of the fine goblet is identical.

When there is sincere trust within, no creature fails to respond, because their sincerity is the same. Consummate sincerity knows no barriers of distance, depth, or concealment.

Therefore the Great Commentary says: 'If your words are good, people will respond from a thousand li away; if they are not good, people will oppose from a thousand li away'—this speaks of sincerity penetrating all things.

Only those who know the Dao can comprehend the principle of consummate sincerity evoking resonant response. The Image says: 'Its young harmonizes with it: this is the longing of the inner heart.'

'The longing of the inner heart' means what sincere will desires; hence it communicates and evokes mutual harmony.

Zhouyi ZhuLine statement

Dwelling within and situated beneath double yin, yet treading without losing the Central Position, it does not chase after the outside but relies on its authentic nature.

Establishing sincere devotion to the utmost, even in obscurity and darkness, external things will respond to it; hence it says: 'A crane calling in the shade, its young harmonizing with it.'

Not monopolizing power and profit, bestowing only on virtue—this is the perfection of sincerity; hence it says: 'I have a fine goblet, I will share it with others.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiLine statement

Sub-commentary: 'A crane calling in the shade, its young harmonizing with it': Nine in the Second Place is firm in substance, dwells within the Gua, and sits beneath the double yin of the third and fourth lines, yet treads without losing the Central Position.

This is someone who does not chase after the external world but relies on his own authenticity. Residing in obscurity yet acting without losing trust, his voice is heard abroad and resonates with his kind.

Just as when a crane cries in a secluded, distant place, its offspring responds in harmony; hence it says: 'A crane calling in the shade, its young harmonizing with it.' 'I have a fine goblet, I will share it with you': 'mi' means to scatter or share.

Having no biased personal correspondence, he does not monopolize power and advantage, but aligns only with virtue. 'If I have a fine goblet, I wish to share and enjoy it with you worthy men'; hence it says: 'I have a fine goblet, I will share it with you.'

Sub-commentary: 'The longing of the inner heart': a person of sincere trust wishes to respond to his own kind; when he encounters sincere trust and responds to it, this is the longing of his inner heart.