61. Inner Truth (中孚)

Line 4

If this line changes it transforms into 10. Treading (履)

Modern reading

Line 4 is a yin line properly placed directly beneath the sovereign, symbolizing the wisdom of transcending factional loyalties in favor of higher service. Classical tradition emphasizes that letting go of divisive personal alliances averts blame and ensures integrity.

Ask your AI about this page

Your question (optional)

Links prefill your prompt without sending it — you stay in control. If a link fails, copy the prompt below.

ChatGPT Claude Grok Gemini Perplexity DeepSeek Qwen

Prompt preview

I Ching / BaZi reading request (from eastalmanac.com).
Page: Hexagram 61 中孚 — Line 4.
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/61/4

I Ching casting

Positioned correctly in the upper trigram, Six at the fourth place gracefully supports the central ruler rather than clinging to lower alignments.

The classical image of the moon already full and the parted team of horses illustrates consummate fullness that stops short of overflow, shedding private cliques to serve with undivided commitment.

Aligning with principled leadership while releasing petty partisanship keeps one free of blame. Focusing on the wider objective preserves harmony and protects you from factional conflicts.

Career

Organizational advancement requires rising above office cliques and departmental silos to support overarching institutional goals. Classical interpretations commend setting aside secondary interests to deliver focused, transparent collaboration with primary leadership.

Demonstrating loyalty to the collective vision establishes lasting professional credibility and elevates your standing. Prioritizing the broader institutional mission over small-group politics tends to support reliable advancement.

Love & relationships

Intimate partnerships flourish when past baggage and outside social pressures are consciously stepped away from. Traditional imagery speaks of shedding secondary ties so that the primary bond can mature into deep, unreserved mutual trust.

Focusing energy on mutual long-term values rather than comparing the relationship to external standards reinforces security. Pouring your attention directly into your partner without outside distraction deepens relational bonds.

Wealth

Financial management benefits from consolidating resources and pruning redundant or unproductive ventures. Classical wisdom advises that letting go of minor, distracting holdings clarifies your portfolio and reduces administrative strain.

Concentrating attention on high-quality, transparent commitments brings stability and long-term peace of mind. Streamlining your financial focus by eliminating peripheral clutter keeps your assets steady and organized.

References

Original text

Line statement

4. The fourth line, divided, shows its subject (like) the moon nearly full, and (like) a horse (in a chariot) whose fellow disappears. There will be no error.

Small Image

‘A horse the fellow of which disappears:’—he breaks from his (former) companions, and mounts upwards.

Classical commentary

Yichuan YizhuanLine statement

The fourth line is the master of establishing trust. Occupying a position close to the ruler, dwelling in correctness, and enjoying the utmost trust of the superior, it shoulders the responsibility of sincere trust.

It is like the moon approaching the full: the zenith of fullness. Once completely full, it rivals the sun; when a minister rivals the sovereign, disaster and ruin inevitably follow, which is why 'nearly full' is taken as the supreme state.

'The horse's mate is lost': the fourth and the first are in proper correspondence, being mates.

In ancient times, four horses drew a chariot; if a single pure color could not be obtained, the two inner horses shared one color and the two outer horses another, and their sizes had to match. Thus two horses formed a pair (pi), meaning counterparts.

Horses are creatures of motion; the first line responds upward to the fourth, and the fourth also advances to follow the fifth, both moving upward—hence the horse is taken as an image.

The way of trust requires singleness: once the fourth follows the fifth, if it still looked down and attached itself to the first, its loyalty would not be single, harming sincere trust and bringing blame. Therefore, when the horse's mate is lost, there is no blame.

Ascending to follow the fifth without being bound to the first is losing its mate; being tied to the first, it could not advance and could not achieve the work of trust. The Image says: 'A team of horses lost: it severs ties with its kind to ascend.'

It severs ties with its fellow kind to ascend and follow the fifth. 'Kind' refers to its correspondent.

Zhouyi ZhuLine statement

Dwelling in the time of Inner Truth, occupying the beginning of The Gentle (Wind) and responding to the beginning of Joy, treading in correctness and compliance to support the fifth, it assists the sovereign within and proclaims virtuous transformation without.

Filled with the fullness of yin virtue, it is called 'the moon nearly full.' 'A team of horses is lost' means abandoning its fellows. If one occupies a station of abundant virtue yet contends and rivals with others, one loses that very fullness.

Therefore, severing ties with its kind to ascend, treading in correctness to support the honored ruler, and not contending with the third line, it attains freedom from blame.

Zhouyi ZhuSmall Image

'Kind' refers to the third line; both are yin lines, hence called 'kind.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiLine statement

Sub-commentary: 'The moon nearly full': Six in the Fourth Place resides in the time of Inner Truth, occupies The Gentle while responding to Joy, attains its station and treads in compliance.

Supporting Nine in the Fifth Place above, it aids the sovereign within and spreads virtuous influence without, filled with the flourishing of yin virtue like the moon nearing the full; hence it says: 'The moon nearly full.'

'A team of horses lost, no blame': the third line is its foe and advances to attack it; if it were to contend and battle with the third, it would forfeit its fullness.

Therefore it abandons the company of the third like a horse losing its mate, and ascends to support the fifth without contending with the third, thereby attaining freedom from blame; hence it says: 'A team of horses lost, no blame.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiSmall Image

Sub-commentary: 'Severing ties with its kind to ascend': severing connection with the kind of the third line, not contending with it, and ascending to support the fifth.