Influence (Wooing)
Lake (兌 Duì) above, Mountain (艮 Gèn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 31, 咸 (Xián), represents Influence (Wooing).
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 31 (咸 Xián). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/xian). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
咸，亨，利貞，取女吉。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
山上有泽,咸。君子以虚受人。
James Legge: (The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for (the waters of) a marsh form Hsien. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps his mind free from pre-occupation, and open to receive (the influences of) others.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初六，咸其拇。
James Legge: The first SIX, divided, shows one moving his great toes.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
六二，咸其腓，凶，居吉。
James Legge: The second SIX, divided, shows one moving the calves of his leg. There will be evil. If he abide (quiet in his place), there will be good fortune.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
九三，咸其股，執其隨，往吝。
James Legge: The third NINE, undivided, shows one moving his thighs, and keeping close hold of those whom he follows. Going forward (in this way) will cause regret.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
九四，貞吉，悔亡，憧憧往來，朋從爾思。
James Legge: The fourth NINE, undivided, shows that firm correctness which will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance. If its subject be unsettled in his movements, (only) his friends will follow his purpose.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五，咸其脢，无悔。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows one moving the flesh along the spine above the heart. There will be no occasion for repentance.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六，咸其輔頰舌。
James Legge: The sixth SIX, divided, shows one moving his jaws and tongue.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Influence can prompt a careful question about resonance: what actually moves between two parties here — and is it mutual? The figure's courtship framing belongs to the text's ancient world and is retained as material; read at the figure level, mutual attraction describes receptivity meeting steadiness.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
Nothing on this page predicts how any relationship will go or advises anyone to pursue anyone. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 31 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.