中孚 → 復
Hexagram 61: Inner Truth → Hexagram 24: Return
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 2, 5, 6).
Line 2
九二 鳴鶴在陰。其子和之。我有好爵。吾與爾靡之。
Nine in the second place means: A crane calling in the shade. Its young answers it. I have a good goblet. I will share it with you.
Line 5
九五 有孚攣如。无咎。
Nine in the fifth place means: He possesses truth, which links together. No blame.
Line 6
上九 翰音登于天。貞凶。
Nine at the top means: Cockcrow penetrating to heaven. Perseverance brings misfortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
重弋射隼，不知所定。質疑蓍龜，明神祭報。告以肥牡，宜利止居。
Shooting repeatedly at the falcon; not knowing where to aim. Consulting yarrow and tortoise; the bright spirits receive the offering. Reporting with a fat bull; dwelling in stillness brings advantage.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind stirs above the lake as arrows fly again and again at the falcon, but the hunter cannot decide where to aim. Doubts arise, and one consults the yarrow stalks and tortoise shell. The spirits respond clearly: offer a fat ram and settle where you are. The verse traces the arc from indecision to divination to resolution. The repeated shooting (重弋射隼) without success embodies scattered intention, while the oracle's answer is simple: stop chasing, make your offering, stay home. From Inner Truth to Return, sincerity meets thunder resting within the earth. Return is the solstice moment — the single yang line reappearing at the base. The oracle's counsel to stay aligns perfectly: true return means ceasing the frantic chase and allowing what was lost to come back of its own accord.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store