Hexagram 31
Xian / Influence (Wooing)
䷞
咸 · Xián
Upper: Lake (Dui) · Lower: Mountain (Gen)
Influence (Wooing) — lake above mountain, the joyous receptivity drawing toward steady mountain. Mutual attraction; the natural influence of properly meeting forces.
Core theme
Influence; mutual attraction; the courtship that begins relationship; non-coercive influence
Overview
Xian opens the second half of the I Ching's 64 hexagrams (with hexagram 32 Heng forming the foundational pair of the second half, parallel to Qian and Kun in the first half). The hexagram depicts mutual influence — the natural attraction between properly meeting forces. Lake above mountain — the joyous receptive on top of steady solid; their meeting produces the harmonious union of attraction.
The Wilhelm/Baynes commentary emphasizes the courtship metaphor. Xian is the wooing — the early attraction that precedes lasting union. The hexagram favors gentle non-coercive influence rather than force or manipulation. "It furthers one to take a maiden to wife" — the formal undertaking of relationship under proper conditions.
The hexagram applies broadly to any context of mutual influence. Two parties drawing toward each other; gentle persuasion; the early phases of partnership formation. The hexagram counsels respect for the natural attraction rather than forcing; trust in the mutual movement rather than insisting on one-sided result.
The Judgment
Influence. Success. Perseverance furthers. To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune.
The Image
A lake on the mountain: the image of Influence. Thus the superior person encourages people to approach them by their readiness to receive them.
Meaning
Xian teaches non-coercive influence. The Judgment's promise — success, perseverance furthers, taking a maiden to wife brings good fortune — favors the gentle natural form of influence. The wooing succeeds; the proper courtship produces lasting union; the natural attraction creates real result.
The Image's instruction captures the principle: the superior person's readiness to receive others is itself the influence that draws them. Not pushing toward people; allowing them to approach because they want to. The leader/practitioner who is genuinely receptive draws people without forcing.
For practitioners: Xian favors situations of mutual attraction, courtship, partnership formation, and gentle non-coercive influence. The hexagram is unfavorable for coercion, manipulation, or insistence on one-sided result.
Application — when this hexagram appears
When this hexagram appears: situations involve mutual attraction or influence. The practitioner should engage gently and non-coercively.
The practitioner should: (1) trust the natural attraction rather than forcing; (2) be genuinely receptive — allow others to approach because they want to; (3) maintain inner steadiness (the mountain quality) while remaining receptive (the lake quality); (4) honor the courtship phase as legitimate before insisting on commitment; (5) avoid manipulation or coercion.
For specific questions: Xian favors gentle relationship formation, partnership work, and influence through receptivity. The hexagram is unfavorable for force or one-sided pursuit.
The six lines (changing-line commentary)
Line 1 (bottom)
The influence shows itself in the big toe. Subtle initial influence — at the foot, at the base of the body. The attraction has begun but is just beginning. Don't act prematurely on the small initial sign.
Line 2
The influence shows itself in the calves. Misfortune. Tarrying brings good fortune. The attraction has reached the calves — slightly higher. But acting prematurely produces misfortune; waiting brings good fortune. The development is happening; let it deepen before responding.
Line 3
The influence shows itself in the thighs. Holds to that which follows it. To continue is humiliating. Premature commitment to following the attraction. The thighs (more advanced position) but still preliminary; full commitment now produces humiliation. Maintain discrimination.
Line 4
Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. If a person is agitated in mind and their thoughts go hither and thither, only those friends on whom they fix their conscious thoughts will follow. Good fortune from steady perseverance. The line's broader wisdom: the practitioner's steadiness draws those who fit their conscious orientation. Agitated mind draws agitated friends; clear focus draws clear friends.
Line 5
The influence shows itself in the back of the neck. No remorse. Influence at the back of the neck — perceived but not allowed to dominate the conscious mind. The practitioner can recognize attraction without being controlled by it. No remorse from this discriminating awareness.
Line 6 (top)
The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue. Influence reaching the most communicative parts — the speaking apparatus. The line is somewhat ambiguous; the influence may be too purely verbal, too much surface-level expression without depth. Recognize when influence has become merely cosmetic.
Timing
Periods of relationship formation; courtship phases; partnership development; gentle influence work. Spring through early summer (the season of attraction).
FAQ
Is this about romance specifically?
Romance is the most direct application but the hexagram applies broadly. Any situation involving mutual influence, attraction, or partnership formation fits — business partnerships, alliances, mentor-mentee relationships, group memberships. The principles (gentle non-coercive influence, trust in natural attraction) transfer.
Should I pursue actively?
Pursue gently rather than aggressively. The hexagram favors making yourself receptive (the Image's instruction) rather than pushing toward the other person. Genuine attraction draws toward genuine receptivity; manipulation or coercion produces resistance even when it appears to succeed.
What's the body imagery?
Each line shows influence reaching different body parts in ascending order — toe, calves, thighs, heart-area, back of neck, jaws/cheeks/tongue. The progression captures the deepening of influence through the body. Different positions warrant different responses; the line that changes specifies where the influence currently sits.
When should I commit?
After the courtship has had time to develop authentically. Lines 2 and 3 specifically warn against premature commitment — acting before the attraction has deepened produces misfortune or humiliation. The wisdom is patience: let the natural process unfold; commit when the attraction has matured.
Why does this open the second half of the I Ching?
Traditional understanding: the I Ching's second half (hexagrams 31-64) addresses human/social affairs more directly than the first half (1-30, more cosmological). Xian opens with the foundational human relationship — mutual attraction. The second half's pattern of human affairs begins from this foundational pattern.
Astrological correspondence
Elements
metal, earth
Lake (Dui) above Mountain (Gen) — the trigram pair carries Chinese five-phase (wuxing) elemental correspondences that anchor the hexagram in elemental cycles.