Hexagram 31 · ䷞
This is the hexagram of mutual attraction and response. When influence is balanced and correct, it leads to harmony and good fortune.
Judgment
This is the hexagram of mutual attraction and response. When influence is balanced and correct, it leads to harmony and good fortune.
Image
A lake on the mountain represents Influence. The noble person accepts people with an open mind.
Lines
The influence begins in the big toe—the first stirrings of attraction. The influence reaches the calves, but movement brings misfortune. Remain persevering. The influence reaches t...
Success. Perseverance furthers. Taking a maiden as wife brings good fortune.
This is the hexagram of mutual attraction and response. When influence is balanced and correct, it leads to harmony and good fortune.
Influence means mutual response. The yielding is above and the firm below; the two energies respond to one another and join. Stillness combined with joy, the man yielding to the woman: therefore there is success, perseverance, and good fortune in marriage. Heaven and earth respond to one another and all beings are transformed and born. The sage moves human hearts, and the world attains peace. Observing what things respond to, one may see the nature of heaven, earth, and the myriad beings.
True influence is not force but resonance. The two sides answer one another, and through that response relationship, creation, and social harmony become possible.
A lake on the mountain: the image of Influence. The noble person accepts people with an open mind.
A lake on the mountain represents Influence. The noble person accepts people with an open mind.
The influence shows itself in the big toe.
The influence begins in the big toe—the first stirrings of attraction.
Small Image
The influence shows itself in the big toe, because the will is directed outward.
The big toe influence shows the will directed outward.
The influence shows itself in the calves of the legs. Misfortune. To remain persevering brings good fortune.
The influence reaches the calves, but movement brings misfortune. Remain persevering.
Small Image
The yielding is without. To go would cause harm, but to remain brings good fortune.
The yielding without shows going brings harm, remaining brings good fortune.
The influence shows itself in the thighs. Holds to that which follows. To continue brings humiliation.
The influence reaches the thighs. Following blindly leads to humiliation.
Small Image
The influence shows itself in the thighs. If one follows what is below, one's mind is not yet at rest.
The thigh influence shows following below indicates a restless mind.
Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears.
Perseverance brings good fortune and removes remorse.
Small Image
To continue brings humiliation, because the place is not the proper one.
Continued humiliation comes from being in an improper position.
The influence shows itself in the back of the neck. No remorse.
The influence reaches the back of the neck—steady and unmoving.
Small Image
The influence shows itself in the back of the neck, because the will is directed toward the center.
The neck influence shows the will properly directed toward the center.
The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue.
The influence overflows to the jaws, cheeks, and tongue.
Small Image
Thus the yielding finds place above.
The jaws influence shows the yielding has risen too high.
What does Hsien / Influence mean in the I Ching?
This is the hexagram of mutual attraction and response. When influence is balanced and correct, it leads to harmony and good fortune.
How should I study Hexagram 31 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The influence begins in the big toe—the first stirrings of attraction. The influence reaches the calves, but movement brings misfortune. Remain persevering. The influence reaches t...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
True influence is not force but resonance. The two sides answer one another, and through that response relationship, creation, and social harmony become possible.
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.