Hexagram 61, Zhōng Fú (Inner Truth): Line 2
中孚卦九二 · 风泽中孚 · 中文版
九二：鸣鹤在阴，其子和之，我有好爵，吾与尔靡之。
The line (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.'
Small Image commentary
'Her young ones respond to her:' - from the (common) wish of the inmost heart.
象曰：其子和之，中心愿也。
In plain words
A crane calls in the shade; its young answer. I have a fine goblet of wine and will share it with you. The second line is strong and central; moving others with sincerity, it finds an echo without making a show. The Great Commentary quotes it: words that come from oneself reach the people; deeds done nearby are seen far away. The Small Image says this is the heart's own wish.
Applying it to your situation
If you want to be understood, this line suggests a sincere voice will find an answer. Who is the one who would answer you?
Position
A solid (yang) line in the second place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is not in its proper place. It holds the centre of the lower trigram. Its partner is line 5; both are yang, so they do not respond.
If this line moves
With this line moving alone, Zhōng Fú changes into Hexagram 42 Yì (Increase). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·中孚之益.
A recorded case from Takashima
Zhong Fu to Yi: arranging a match for a widowed dignitary: A dignitary had been a widower for years and ignored his friends' urging to remarry. When they heard of a fine woman from a samurai family in Gifu, they wanted to make the match but feared he would refuse, so they cast first. The second line of Zhong Fu, "a crane calls in the shade; its young answer; I have a fine cup and will share it with you", Takashima read as two hearts in tune, supremely good.
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.
Previous: Line 1 · Next: Line 3
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.