䷼ Inner Truth zhōng fú
Core Meaning
The core of the Zhong Fu hexagram lies in the power of 'sincerity.' This sincerity is not superficial or verbal promises but a steadfast belief and genuine feeling from within. It emphasizes humility and impartiality of the inner self, without bias, to generate the most powerful appeal. The hexagram indicates that this power is sufficient to move even the most difficult to influence subjects, like 'sincerity extending to pigs and fish.' In interpersonal relationships and management, Zhong Fu reminds us that no skill or strategy can replace genuine sincerity. Only by treating others with sincerity can true trust be built, conflicts resolved, and people united. This inner sincerity is the fundamental guarantee for overcoming all difficulties and dangers (favorable for crossing the great stream) and the cornerstone for upholding righteousness and ultimately achieving success.
The Judgment
Sincerity towards even pigs and fish brings good fortune. Favorable for crossing the great stream. Favorable for perseverance.
Interpretation:
Inner sincerity can influence even small creatures like pigs and fish, leading to good fortune. It is beneficial to cross a large river and overcome obstacles. It is favorable to uphold righteousness and integrity.
The Image
Wind blows over the lake: The image of Inner Truth. Thus the superior person discusses legal cases and defers death penalties.
Structure
The Zhong Fu hexagram is composed of the upper trigram Xun (Wind) and the lower trigram Dui (Lake), forming the image of wind blowing over the lake. The lake's water moves due to the wind, symbolizing a profound influence from within outwards. This hexagram's structure is hollow in the middle, with four solid lines (yang) on the outside (top and bottom) and two broken lines (yin) in the middle, resembling an empty heart that is humble and receptive. Hence it is called 'Zhong Fu,' meaning inner truth or sincerity. The power of sincerity can penetrate all things, even influencing tiny creatures like pigs and fish. It represents a powerful cohesiveness and appeal based on genuine authenticity. The hexagram suggests that true power originates from inner sincerity and trustworthiness. With this as a foundation, one can resolve suspicions, unite others, overcome great challenges, and achieve success.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
First Nine: Reassured. Good fortune. If there are other intentions, there will be no peace.
Nine in the second place: A calling crane in the shade. Its young harmonize with it. I have a good goblet. I will share it with you.
Six in the third place: Encountering an opponent. Sometimes drumming, sometimes ceasing. Sometimes weeping, sometimes singing.
Six in the fourth place: The moon nearly full. The team of horses disappears. No blame.
Nine in the fifth place: Possessing sincerity, bound together. No blame.
Top Nine: The sound of a bird ascends to Heaven. Perseverance brings misfortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
In terms of career, the Zhong Fu hexagram indicates that building trust is the key to success. Whether with clients, partners, or team members, one must treat everyone with sincerity. Business cooperation must be built on mutual trust; any deception or information hiding will lead to failure. In team management, leaders must be consistent in word and deed, open and honest, to win the support and loyalty of employees. This period is suitable for projects requiring long-term cooperation or for repairing partnerships damaged by misunderstandings. A reputation for integrity is your most valuable asset; it can attract loyal partners and clients, allowing you to move steadily forward even in the face of market turbulence.
❤️ Relationships
In terms of relationships, the Zhong Fu hexagram represents genuine and profound emotional connection. The foundation of the relationship is mutual trust, free from suspicion. At this time, the relationship is stable and harmonious, able to withstand external tests. If problems arise in the relationship, the root cause is often a lack of genuine communication. It is recommended that both parties be honest with each other, sharing their true thoughts and feelings without concealment. For singles, Zhong Fu encourages you to present your true self to others, as false pretenses cannot bring true love. Only genuine sincerity from within can attract a like-minded partner and build a long-lasting and stable relationship.
🎯 Decision Making
When making decisions, Zhong Fu requires you to return to your original intention and uphold sincerity as the highest principle. Do not be swayed by external temptations of interest or pressure, but ask yourself if this decision aligns with your most fundamental values and beliefs. Your decisions should be transparent and fair, able to withstand the test of time. When negotiating with others, be open and honest, clearly express your intentions and bottom lines, and seek consensus based on trust. This is not the time to use cunning or deceptive tactics, as any insincere actions will be exposed and bring severe negative consequences. A decision based on sincerity, even if it seems to offer limited immediate benefits, will in the long run earn you reputation and support.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The Zhong Fu hexagram warns against hypocrisy and exaggeration in sincerity. The top line of the hexagram, 'The sound of a bird ascends to Heaven. Perseverance brings misfortune,' is a warning: when only the sound echoes through the clouds but no substance is seen, such superficial sincerity ultimately leads to misfortune. In reality, this manifests as making many verbal promises but never fulfilling them, or appearing sincere on the surface but having ulterior motives. This 'false sincerity' is more harmful than direct deception because it gradually erodes the foundation of trust. Once a reputation for sincerity is bankrupt, it becomes impossible to unite people, and any endeavor will become unsustainable. Therefore, one must constantly reflect on whether one's words and actions are consistent and avoid succumbing to empty fame and exaggeration.
Applicable Scenarios
The Inner Truth hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
During the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei suffered repeated defeats and was constantly on the move amidst the struggle for power. However, he always upheld 'benevolence' and 'righteousness' as his guiding principles. He visited Zhuge Liang three times, inviting him to join his cause with utmost sincerity. This sincerity eventually moved Zhuge Liang, and the two formed a deep trust, becoming 'like fish in water.' When Cao Cao's army advanced south, hundreds of thousands of common people voluntarily followed Liu Bei in their escape, never abandoning him. This was because Liu Bei had always cherished the people and his sincerity had deeply won their hearts. Even in the most perilous times, he refused to abandon the populace. It was this 'Zhong Fu' spirit, stemming from his inner self, that won him the hearts of the people and the allegiance of talented individuals, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Shu Han kingdom. Liu Bei's experience perfectly illustrates 'Fu nai hua bang ye,' meaning that sincerity can educate and transform a nation, uniting the most powerful forces.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Inner Truth hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: