I Ching hexagram · 31 of 64
Hexagram 31: Influence 咸 Xián · Attraction, influence, sensitivity
Mutual attraction. Influence others through openness. Success. Perseverance brings benefit. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
- Upper: ☱ Lake
- Lower: ☶ Mountain
- Nuclear: 44
- Opposite: 41
Number
31 of 64
Chinese name
咸 Xián
Upper trigram
☱ Lake
Lower trigram
☶ Mountain
Nuclear hexagram
䷫ 44. Coming to Meet
Opposite hexagram
䷨ 41. Decrease
What hexagram 31 means
Hexagram 31 shows a lake resting on a mountain, the two responding to each other. Its name means mutual influence or attraction, and it opens the second half of the I Ching with courtship.
Real influence comes from openness and stillness, not pressure. When you are receptive, others respond; attraction based on mutual respect leads to lasting union.
The Judgement · 卦辞
咸：亨，利贞，取女吉。
Success. Perseverance brings benefit. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
The Image · 象曰
山上有泽，咸；君子以虚受人。
A lake on the mountain: the image of influence. The noble person stays open and receptive to others.
The lines and trigrams
Influence places ☱ Lake (兑 Duì), the trigram of joy and openness, above ☶ Mountain (艮 Gèn), the trigram of stillness and restraint. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 31 in your life
Love and relationships
Strong mutual attraction and a promising connection. Be open and sincere: this is a very favourable sign for courtship and commitment.
Personal growth
Stay humble and open-minded. You can only be moved, and move others, when there is room in you to receive.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 31 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
Influence in the big toe. The intention is there, but nothing visible has happened yet.
Line 2 六二 · Six in the second place
Influence in the calves. Rushing to act brings misfortune; staying put brings good fortune.
Line 3 九三 · Nine in the third place
Influence in the thighs, holding on to whatever follows. Acting on every impulse leads to humiliation.
Line 4 九四 · Nine in the fourth place
Perseverance brings good fortune and remorse disappears. If your mind is restless, only close friends will follow your thoughts.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
Influence in the back of the neck. A firm will brings no remorse, though little influence on others.
Line 6 上六 · Six at the top
Influence in the jaws, cheeks and tongue. Mere talk has little real effect.
Hexagram 31 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 31 mean?
Hexagram 31, Influence (咸 Xián), is about attraction, influence, sensitivity. Mutual attraction. Influence others through openness. Hexagram 31 shows a lake resting on a mountain, the two responding to each other. Its name means mutual influence or attraction, and it opens the second half of the I Ching with courtship.
What does hexagram 31 mean in love?
Strong mutual attraction and a promising connection. Be open and sincere: this is a very favourable sign for courtship and commitment.
What does hexagram 31 mean for work and money?
Influence through listening and openness. Partnerships and negotiations go well when both sides feel heard.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 31?
Hexagram 31 has Lake (Duì) as its upper trigram and Mountain (Gèn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 31?
Its nuclear hexagram is 44, Coming to Meet. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 41, Decrease. Turned upside down it becomes 32, Duration.
All 64 hexagrams
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