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易經 Yìjīng · Book of Changes

Hexagram 61: Inner Truth

中孚 Zhōng Fú

Hexagram 61 of 64 · Wind over Lake · Wilhelm-Baynes translation

Master Wei Lin

By Master Wei Lin · Updated August 3, 2026

Chinese Metaphysics Scholar

What is Hexagram 61, Inner Truth?

Hexagram 61, Inner Truth (中孚 Zhōng Fú), is built from Wind (巽 Xùn) over Lake (兌 Duì), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as sincerity, inner truth, influence. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.

Key Takeaways

  • Hexagram 61 is built from Wind (巽 Xùn) over Lake (兌 Duì).
  • Its central themes, sincerity, inner truth, influence, trust, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
  • The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Lapis Lazuli as the meditation stone.
  • Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
  • This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
Trigram structure
Upper: Wind (巽 Xùn)Lower: Lake (兌 Duì)Wind/Wood over Lakesincerityinner truthinfluencetrustauthenticity
The judgment

The Judgment

Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes. Good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water. Perseverance furthers.
The image

The Image

Wind over lake: the image of Inner Truth. Thus the superior person discusses criminal cases in order to delay executions.

Master Wei Lin's Interpretation

Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling

Wind over the lake, inner truth that influences the outer world like wind rippling water. This hexagram is about the kind of sincerity that reaches even the most difficult-to-reach people (symbolized by pigs and fishes). Your question is answered by this: when your inner truth is genuine, its influence penetrates where argument and force cannot. What truth are you carrying that the world needs to hear?

The moving lines

The Six Lines

When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.

Line 1 (bottom)

Being prepared brings good fortune. If there are secret designs, it is disquieting.

Line 2

A crane calling in the shade. Its young answers it. I have a good goblet. I will share it with you.

Line 3

One finds a comrade. Now one beats the drum, now one stops. Now one sobs, now one sings.

Line 4

The moon nearly at the full. The team horse goes astray. No blame.

Line 5

One possesses truth, which links together. No blame.

Line 6 (top)

Cockcrow penetrating to heaven. Perseverance brings misfortune.

The stone

🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 61

Lapis Lazuli

Hold Lapis Lazuli while meditating on Inner Truth. Its energy resonates with the themes of sincerity, inner truth, influence.

Shop Lapis Lazuli
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hexagram 61 (Inner Truth) mean?

In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 61, Inner Truth (中孚 Zhōng Fú), is read through Wind (巽 Xùn) over Lake (兌 Duì). The classical sources describe its themes as sincerity, inner truth, influence. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.

What is the Judgment for Inner Truth?

The Judgment reads: "Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes. Good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water. Perseverance furthers.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.

What is the Image for Inner Truth?

The Image reads: "Wind over lake: the image of Inner Truth. Thus the superior person discusses criminal cases in order to delay executions.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.

What crystal pairs with Hexagram 61?

Lapis Lazuli is the traditional pairing for Inner Truth. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.

How is Hexagram 61 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?

An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.

Along the sequence

More Hexagrams

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About this tool

This tool draws on traditional I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng, Book of Changes) practices. These are spiritual and reflective traditions, not medical or psychological treatments. Many people find these practices supportive for self-reflection and emotional well-being, but they should not be used as a substitute for professional care.

Hexagram texts are drawn from the Wilhelm-Baynes public-domain translation of the 易經 (Yìjīng / I-Ching). Interpretations are written in the voice of Master Wei Lin, our Chinese metaphysics scholar, for modern reflection, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling.

For entertainment and self-reflection. Not a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice.

Results are personal and vary from one person to the next. What many people find supportive may not work the same way for you, and nothing here is a promise of any specific result.

If you are experiencing significant emotional or physical distress, please consult a qualified professional.

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