I Ching Hexagram 31: Mutual Influence (咸)
Overview
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 book 1 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 relationships.
The Judgment — Wilhelm/Baynes Translation
Influence. Success. Perseverance furthers. To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune.
— Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, The I Ching or Book of Changes (Princeton University Press, 1950)
The Image — Wilhelm/Baynes Translation
A lake on the mountain: The image of influence. Thus the superior man encourages people to approach him By his readiness to receive them.
— Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, The I Ching or Book of Changes (1950)
Commentary
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.
The Six Lines — Complete Commentary
Each line represents a stage in the unfolding situation. A line becomes "changing" when it transforms during divination.
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Line 1
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 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. -
Line 2
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. -
Line 3
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. -
Line 4
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. -
Line 5
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 mind. It is true that if we cannot be influenced ourselves, we cannot influence the outside world. -
Line 6
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.
♥ Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence — Love & Relationships
Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence (咸, xián), brings a profound and timely message to love and relationships. The interplay of THE JOYOUS over KEEPING STILL — LAKE resting upon MOUNTAIN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your relationships. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of emotional connection.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence appears in response to questions about partnership, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of LAKE above and MOUNTAIN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
★ Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence — Career & Work
Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence (咸, xián), brings a profound and timely message to professional life and career development. The interplay of THE JOYOUS over KEEPING STILL — LAKE resting upon MOUNTAIN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your work. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of professional growth.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence appears in response to questions about career path, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of LAKE above and MOUNTAIN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
◆ Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence — Money & Finances
Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence (咸, xián), brings a profound and timely message to financial matters. The interplay of THE JOYOUS over KEEPING STILL — LAKE resting upon MOUNTAIN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your resources. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of material abundance.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence appears in response to questions about financial security, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of LAKE above and MOUNTAIN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
☤ Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence — Health & Wellbeing
Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence (咸, xián), brings a profound and timely message to health and wellbeing. The interplay of THE JOYOUS over KEEPING STILL — LAKE resting upon MOUNTAIN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your body and mind. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of physical vitality.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence appears in response to questions about wellness journey, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of LAKE above and MOUNTAIN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
☯ Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence — Spiritual Growth
Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence (咸, xián), brings a profound and timely message to spiritual development. The interplay of THE JOYOUS over KEEPING STILL — LAKE resting upon MOUNTAIN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your inner life. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of spiritual growth.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence appears in response to questions about the path of wisdom, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of LAKE above and MOUNTAIN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
△ Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence — Business & Strategy
Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence (咸, xián), brings a profound and timely message to business and commerce. The interplay of THE JOYOUS over KEEPING STILL — LAKE resting upon MOUNTAIN — creates a dynamic that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your enterprise. This hexagram invites careful reflection on how its ancient wisdom applies to the most pressing questions of commercial success.
The I Ching has been consulted for thousands of years precisely because its symbolic language, developed through centuries of careful observation of natural and human patterns, cuts through surface circumstances to reveal deeper truths. When Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence appears in response to questions about business ventures, it brings the combined wisdom of its two trigrams: the qualities of LAKE above and MOUNTAIN below, interacting to create a specific and meaningful moment in the cycle of change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 31 Mutual Influence mean?
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 stro
Is Hexagram 31 a yes or no?
The I Ching does not provide simple yes or no answers. Hexagram 31, Mutual Influence, offers guidance about the quality and direction of the current moment. Consult the judgment and image texts above for specific direction relevant to your question.
What are the changing lines in Hexagram 31?
Changing lines indicate points of transformation within your reading. Each of the six lines in Hexagram 31 carries its own meaning — see the complete line commentary above for detailed guidance on each position.
Have a question about this hexagram?
Get a Personalized Mutual Influence ReadingSources
- Wilhelm, Richard & Baynes, Cary F. The I Ching or Book of Changes. Princeton University Press, 1950.
- Legge, James. The I Ching: Book of Changes. Dover Publications, 1963.
- Huang, Alfred. The Complete I Ching. Inner Traditions, 1998.
Commentary
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.