Hexagram 31 · Influence

咸 · Xián

Hexagram 31, Influence (咸, Xián), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Mountain below and Lake above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “亨，利贞。取女吉。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with mutual influence and attraction. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Mountain (艮) — stillness and knowing when to stop
Upper trigram: Lake (兑) — joy and open exchange
Symbol: ䷞ · Name: 咸 (Xián) · Number: 31 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   咸其拇。
   The Image says: “咸其拇”，志在外也。
2. 六二 (六二)
   咸其腓，凶；居吉。
   The Image says: 虽“凶”“居吉”，顺不害也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   咸其股，执其随，往吝。
   The Image says: “咸其股”，亦不处也。志在随人，所执下也。
4. 九四 (九四)
   贞吉，悔亡，憧憧往来，朋从尔思。
   The Image says: “贞吉，悔亡”，未感害也；“憧憧往来”，未光大也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   咸其脢，无悔。
   The Image says: “咸其脢”，志未也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   咸其辅颊舌。
   The Image says: “咸其辅颊舌”，滕口说也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 31?

Hexagram 31 is Influence (咸, Xián), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Mountain below and Lake above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Influence?

The judgment of Influence reads, in the Chinese original: “亨，利贞。取女吉。”. Its Great Image reads: “山上有泽，咸。君子以虚受人。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Influence symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Influence is associated with mutual influence and attraction. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.