Hexagram 31
Influence (Wooing)
咸 (Xián)
Lake over Mountain
Hexagram 31 in the I Ching represents mutual attraction and influence through receptivity and openness. This iching hexagram 31 symbolizes the natural attraction between complementary forces, embodying courtship, connection, and the power of gentle influence that moves hearts and minds.
Key Concepts
The Judgment
Hexagram 31 represents the power of mutual attraction and gentle influence. This iching hexagram 31 teaches us about the importance of receptivity, openness, and allowing natural connections to form. The hexagram shows the youngest son (Lake) above the youngest daughter (Mountain), symbolizing the pure and innocent attraction between complementary forces. Success comes through remaining open, sincere, and allowing influence to work naturally rather than forcing outcomes.
The Image
The image of this hexagram shows a lake resting on a mountain, representing stillness and receptivity that naturally attracts. In iching hexagram 31, we learn that true influence comes from making ourselves receptive and open to others. Like a lake that receives all streams, the superior person creates an atmosphere of acceptance that naturally draws people and opportunities.
Interpretation & Guidance
When hexagram 31 appears in your reading, it signals a time of natural attraction and mutual influence. You are entering a period where connections form easily and relationships deepen through genuine openness and receptivity. This is not a time for aggressive pursuit, but rather for creating the conditions that allow natural attraction to flourish.
This hexagram encourages you to remain open-hearted and receptive to the influences around you. Like courtship between young lovers, the best outcomes arise from sincerity, patience, and allowing relationships to develop naturally. Your genuine openness and willingness to be influenced will create the magnetic quality that draws the right people and opportunities to you.
In all areas of life, iching hexagram 31 suggests that success comes through mutual influence and harmonious connection. Be willing to both influence and be influenced. The key is maintaining sincerity and avoiding manipulation - true influence is always mutual and benefits all parties involved.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Six at the Beginning (初六)
Bottom line - Yin
"The influence shows itself in the big toe."
The first line represents the initial stirrings of attraction or influence, barely noticeable like a sensation in the big toe. These are the earliest impulses that may or may not develop into something significant. Observe these feelings but do not act on them prematurely. Not every initial attraction needs to be pursued.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"The influence shows itself in the calves of the legs. Misfortune. Tarrying brings good fortune."
This line warns against impulsive movement based on attraction. Like calves that want to move forward, you may feel the urge to act on your feelings, but premature action leads to misfortune. Wait for the right timing. Patience and restraint now will lead to better outcomes later.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"The influence shows itself in the thighs, and holds to that which follows it. To continue is humiliating."
A warning against being controlled by your desires or following others blindly. When influence shows in the thighs (which follow the body's movement), you are in danger of losing your independence and dignity. Maintain your center and do not allow attraction to override your better judgment.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"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."
This line represents the power of focused intention in creating influence. When your mind is scattered, your influence is weak and inconsistent. By maintaining clarity about your true intentions and focusing your energy consciously, you attract the right connections and your influence becomes effective and beneficial.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"The influence shows itself in the back of the neck. No remorse."
The ruler's line represents influence that is firm but not aggressive. The back of the neck suggests steadfastness and dignity. Your influence comes from your character and principles rather than from emotional manipulation or force. This is the ideal form of influence - steady, principled, and free from regret.
Six at the Top (上六)
Top line - Yin
"The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue."
The top line warns that influence expressed only through words is superficial and ineffective. When influence is merely talk without substance or genuine feeling behind it, it fails to move others deeply. True influence must come from the heart and be demonstrated through actions, not just spoken with the mouth.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In love, hexagram 31 is one of the most auspicious signs, representing natural attraction and the beginning of meaningful romantic connections. This is an excellent time for courtship, dating, and allowing relationships to develop naturally. Your openness and genuine interest in others makes you highly attractive.
For those seeking love, this hexagram suggests that the right person will be drawn to you through natural attraction rather than through pursuit or strategy. Be yourself, remain open-hearted, and allow connections to form organically. The traditional association with "taking a maiden to wife" indicates that relationships begun now have strong potential for commitment.
For those in relationships, iching hexagram 31 encourages mutual influence and deep emotional connection. This is a time to deepen intimacy through genuine openness and receptivity to your partner. Allow yourself to be influenced by your loved one while also sharing your authentic self. True love is a dance of mutual influence.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 31 indicates success through networking, collaboration, and the ability to influence others through genuine connection rather than force. This is an excellent time for building professional relationships, forming partnerships, and creating alliances that benefit all parties.
For entrepreneurs, this hexagram suggests that your business will succeed by understanding and responding to what your customers truly need. Influence your market through genuine value and authentic connection rather than aggressive marketing. Build your reputation through word-of-mouth and natural attraction to your offerings.
In established careers, iching hexagram 31 suggests that advancement comes through your ability to connect with others and create harmonious working relationships. Your influence grows not through dominance but through receptivity, understanding, and the ability to bring people together around common goals.
Health & Wellness (健康)
Health-wise, hexagram 31 emphasizes the connection between emotional openness and physical well-being. Your body responds positively to harmonious relationships and emotional connections. This is a good time to address health issues that stem from emotional blockages or isolation.
The hexagram suggests paying attention to how your body communicates with you - the various lines mention different body parts as seats of influence. Listen to your body's signals and respond with gentle care rather than force. Practices that promote mind-body connection, such as yoga or tai chi, are especially beneficial now.
For those recovering from illness, iching hexagram 31 brings healing through connection - whether through supportive relationships, therapeutic touch, or treatments that work with the body's natural receptivity. Allow yourself to receive care and support from others.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 31 indicates opportunities that come through relationships and networking. Your financial success is linked to your ability to create mutually beneficial arrangements and partnerships. This is not a time for aggressive financial moves, but rather for building connections that naturally lead to prosperity.
This hexagram favors collaborative ventures and investments made with trusted partners. Financial opportunities may come through introductions, recommendations, or through people you attract into your network. Your genuine interest in others' success creates the conditions for your own financial growth.
The key to financial success with iching hexagram 31 is understanding that wealth flows through relationships and mutual benefit. Focus on creating value for others and building trust. Financial gains come naturally when you position yourself as someone who understands and responds to others' needs.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
On a personal level, hexagram 31 represents a time of growth through openness and receptivity to new influences. You develop not in isolation but through meaningful connections with others. Allow yourself to be influenced by wise teachers, supportive friends, and new experiences that broaden your perspective.
This hexagram encourages you to examine how you influence and are influenced by others. True maturity involves the ability to remain open to influence while maintaining your core integrity. Learn to distinguish between healthy influence that helps you grow and manipulation that diminishes you.
The challenge of iching hexagram 31 is developing the wisdom to know when to be receptive and when to maintain boundaries. Personal growth comes from finding the balance between openness and discernment, between influencing and being influenced, between connection and independence.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing associated with hexagram 31 is favorable for initiating relationships and connections of all kinds. This is not a time for solitary action but for reaching out, collaborating, and allowing natural attractions to guide you. The universe supports connections made with sincerity and openness.
The best advice for those receiving this hexagram is to remain receptive and open-hearted. Do not force outcomes or try to manipulate situations to your advantage. Instead, create the conditions that allow natural attraction and mutual influence to work. Be genuine, be patient, and trust in the power of sincere connection.
Remember that true influence is always mutual and benefits all parties. Approach all relationships - romantic, professional, or personal - with the understanding that you will both influence and be influenced. This mutual exchange is the source of growth, harmony, and lasting success.