Hsien / InfluenceLake on the Mountain

Hexagram 31 ·

The weak element is above, the strong below; hence their powers attract each other, so that they unite. This brings about success, for all success depends on th...

First
Six
Second
Six
Third
Nine
Fourth
Nine
Fifth
Nine
Top
Six
Quick Guide

The name of the hexagram means “universal,” “general,” and in a figurative sense “to influence,” “to stimulate.” The upper trigram is Tui, the Joyous; the lower is Kên, Keeping Still. By its persistent, quiet influence, the lower, rigid trigram stimulates the upper, weak trigram, which responds to this stimulation cheerfully and joyously. Kên, the lower trigram, is the youngest son; the upper, Tui, is the youngest daughter. Thus the universal mutual attraction between the sexes is represented. In courtship, the masculine principle must seize the initiative and place itself below the feminine principle. Just as the first part of the book I begins with the hexagrams of heaven and earth, the foundations of all that exists, the second part begins with the hexagrams of courtship and marriage, the foundations of all social relationship

Hexagram Judgment

Influence. Success. Perseverance furthers. To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune.

The weak element is above, the strong below; hence their powers attract each other, so that they unite. This brings about success, for all success depends on the effect of mutual attraction. By keeping still within while experiencing joy without, one can prevent the joy from going to excess and hold it within proper bounds. This is the meaning of the added admonition, “Perseverance furthers,” for it is perseverance that makes the difference between seduction and courtship; in the latter the strong man takes a position inferior to that of the weak girl and shows consideration for her. This attraction between affinities is a general law of nature. Heaven and earth attract each other and thus all creatures come into being. Through such attraction the sage influences men’s hearts, and thus the world attains peace. From the attractions they exert we can learn the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth.

Tuan Commentary

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.

Great Image

A lake on the mountain: The image of influence. Thus the superior man encourages people to approach him By his readiness to receive them.

A mountain with a lake on its summit is stimulated by the moisture from the lake. It has this advantage because its summit does not jut out as a peak but is sunken. The image counsels that the mind should be kept humble and free, so that it may remain receptive to good advice. People soon give up counseling a man who thinks that he knows everything better than anyone else.

Line Judgments
FirstSix

The influence shows itself in the big toe.

A movement, before it is actually carried out, shows itself first in the toes. The idea of an influence is already present, but it is not immediately apparent to others. As long as the intention has no visible effect, it is of no importance to the outside world and leads neither to good nor to evil.

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.

SecondSix

The influence shows itself in the calves of the legs. Misfortune. Tarrying brings good fortune.

In movement, the calf of the leg follows the foot; by itself it can neither go forward nor stand still. Since the movement is not self-governed, it bodes ill. One should wait quietly until one is impelled to action by a real influence. Then one remains uninjured.

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.

ThirdNine

The influence shows itself in the thighs. Holds to that which follows it. To continue is humiliating.

Every mood of the heart influences us to movement. What the heart desires, the thighs run after without a moment’s hesitation; they hold to the heart, which they follow. In the life of man, however, acting on the spur of every caprice is wrong and if continued leads to humiliation. Three considerations suggest themselves here. First, a man should not run precipitately after all the persons whom he would like to influence, but must be able to hold back under certain circumstances. As little should he yield immediately to every whim of those in whose service he stands. Finally, where the moods of his own heart are concerned, he should never ignore the possibility of inhibition, for this is the basis of human freedom.

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.

FourthNine

Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. If a man is agitated in mind, And his thoughts go hither and thither, Only those friends On whom he fixes his conscious thoughts Will follow.

Here the place of the heart is reached. The impulse that springs from this source is the most important of all. It is of particular concern that this influence be constant and good; then, in spite of the danger arising from the great susceptibility of the human heart, there will be no cause for remorse. When the quiet power of a man’s own character is at work, the effects produced are right. All those who are receptive to the vibrations of such a spirit will then be influenced. Influence over others should not express itself as a conscious and willed effort to manipulate them. Through practicing such conscious incitement one becomes wrought up and is exhausted by the eternal stress and strain. Moreover, the effects produced are then limited to those on whom one’s thoughts are consciously fixed.

Small Image

To continue brings humiliation, because the place is not the proper one.

Continued humiliation comes from being in an improper position.

FifthNine

The influence shows itself in the back of the neck. No remorse.

The back of the neck is the most rigid part of the body. When the influence shows itself there, the will remains firm and the influence does not lead to confusion. Hence remorse does not enter into consideration here. What takes place in the depths of one’s being, in the unconscious, can neither be called forth nor prevented by the conscious mind. It is true that if we cannot be influenced ourselves, we cannot influence the outside world.

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.

TopSix

The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue.

The most superficial way of trying to influence others is through talk that has nothing real behind it. The influence produced by such mere tongue wagging must necessarily remain insignificant. Hence no indication is added regarding good or bad fortune.

Small Image

Thus the yielding finds place above.

The jaws influence shows the yielding has risen too high.

Frequently asked questions

What does Hsien / Influence mean in the I Ching?

The weak element is above, the strong below; hence their powers attract each other, so that they unite. This brings about success, for all success depends on th...

How should I study Hexagram 31 on this page?

Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. A movement, before it is actually carried out, shows itself first in the toes. The idea of an influence is already present, but it is not immediately apparent to others. As long as...

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.

Sources and Method

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.

Zhouyi / I Ching primary text: The received text of the Book of Changes, including the Judgment, Image, and line statements.

The I Ching or Book of Changes, Richard Wilhelm / Cary F. Baynes: Princeton University Press translation used as a major English-language reference point for names, structure, and commentary framing.

The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism, James Legge: Classical English reference used for comparative reading of source terminology and commentarial tradition.

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True influence is not force but resonance. The two sides answer one another, and through that response relationship, creation, and social harmony become possible.

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