31 · Influence (XIÁN)
Xian means a response felt between beings. The lake above the mountain suggests openness meeting steadiness: notice an influence, but do not let every impulse decide your next move.
The judgment
Influence: passage; steadfastness is favourable. Taking a woman in marriage is auspicious.
The ancient marriage image speaks of two sides responding to one another. Attraction opens a path when it is joined with constancy and right conduct; the marriage wording belongs to its historical setting.
Original Chinese text
咸：亨。利貞。取女吉。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — Influence reaches the big toe.
Original Chinese
咸其拇。
- 六二 · Line 2 — Influence reaches the calf: ominous; remaining in place is auspicious.
Original Chinese
咸其腓，凶，居吉。
- 九三 · Line 3 — Influence reaches the thigh; clinging to what it follows, going brings regret.
Original Chinese
咸其股，執其隨，往吝。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Steadfastness brings good fortune and regret disappears; as thoughts move anxiously back and forth, friends follow your mind.
Original Chinese
貞吉悔亡，憧憧往來，朋從爾思。
- 九五 · Line 5 — Influence reaches the flesh of the upper back; no regret.
Original Chinese
咸其脢，无悔。
- 上六 · Line 6 — Influence reaches the jaws, cheeks, and tongue.
Original Chinese
咸其輔，頰，舌。