Hexagram 61, Zhōng Fú (Inner Truth): Line 1

中孚卦初九 · 风泽中孚 · 中文版

初九:虞吉,有它不燕。

The line (Legge)

I. 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.

Small Image commentary

'The first NINE, (undivided), shows its subject resting (in himself). There will be good fortune:' - no change has yet come over his purpose.

象曰:初九虞吉,志未变也。

In plain words

Settled in good faith: good fortune; if there is another aim, no peace. The hexagram stands for inner truth; the first line corresponds to the fourth, and single-mindedness brings good fortune. The Small Image says its aim has not changed.

Applying it to your situation

If you already have something worth devoting yourself to, this line suggests not dividing your heart. What do you most want to give your full attention to now?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the first place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is in its proper place. Its partner is line 4; one is yin and the other yang, so they respond to each other.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Zhōng Fú changes into Hexagram 59 Huàn (Dispersion). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·中孚之涣.

The hexagram

Hexagram 61 Zhōng Fú (Inner Truth). The Judgment: Zhong Fu (moves even) pigs and fish, and leads to good fortune. There will be advantage in crossing the great stream. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

Next: Line 2

English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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