Hexagram 31: Xián (Influence)
泽山咸 · 第 31 卦 · Lake over Mountain · 中文版
The Judgment
Xian indicates that, (on the fulfilment of the conditions implied in it), there will be free course and success. Its advantageousness will depend on the being firm and correct, (as) in marrying a young lady. There will be good fortune.
咸：亨，利贞，取女吉。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
Xian is here used in the sense of Kan, meaning (mutually) influencing. The weak (trigram) above, and the strong one below; their two influences moving and responding to each other, and thereby forming a union; the repression (of the one) and the satisfaction (of the other); (with their relative position), where the male is placed below the female: - all these things convey the notion of 'a free and successful course (on the fulfilment of the conditions), while the advantage will depend on being firm and correct, as in marrying a young lady, and there will be good fortune.' Heaven and earth exert their influences, and there ensue the transformation and production of all things. The sages influence the minds of men, and the result is harmony and peace all under the sky. If we look at (the method and issues) of those influences, the true character of heaven and earth and of all things can be seen.
彖曰：咸，感也。柔上而刚下，二气感应以相与，止而说，男下女，是以亨利贞，取女吉也。天地感而万物化生，圣人感人心而天下和平；观其所感，而天地万物之情可见矣！
The Great Image
(The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for (the waters of) a marsh form Xian. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps his mind free from pre-occupation, and open to receive (the influences of) others.
象曰：山上有泽，咸；君子以虚受人。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): The first six, divided, shows one moving his great toes.
'He moves his great toe:' - his mind is set on what is beyond (himself).
初六：咸其拇。 象曰：咸其拇，志在外也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second SIX, divided, shows one moving the calves of his leg. There will be evil. If he abide (quiet in his place), there will be good fortune.
Though 'there would be evil; yet, if he abide (quiet) in his place, there will be good fortune:' - through compliance (with the circumstances of his condition and place) there will be no injury.
六二：咸其腓，凶，居吉。 象曰：虽凶居吉，顺不害也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third NINE, undivided, shows one moving his thighs, and keeping close hold of those whom he follows. Going forward (in this way) will cause regret.
'He moves his thighs:' - he still does not (want to) rest in his place. His will is set on 'following others:' - what he holds in his grasp is low.
九三：咸其股，执其随，往吝。 象曰：咸其股，亦不处也。志在随人，所执下也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth NINE, undivided, shows that firm correctness which will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance. If its subject be unsettled in his movements, (only) his friends will follow his purpose.
'Firm correctness will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance:' - there has not yet been any harm from (a selfish wish to) influence. 'He is unsettled in his movements:'(his power to influence) is not yet either brilliant or great.
九四：贞吉悔亡，憧憧往来，朋从尔思。 象曰：贞吉悔亡，未感害也。憧憧往来，未光大也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth NINE, undivided, shows one moving the flesh along the spine above the heart. There will be no occasion for repentance.
'He (tries to) move the flesh along the spine above the heart:' - his aim is trivial.
九五：咸其脢，无悔。 象曰：咸其脢，志末也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth six, divided, shows one moving his jaws and tongue.
'He moves his jaws and tongue:' - he (only) talks with loquacious mouth.
上六：咸其辅，颊，舌。 象曰：咸其辅颊舌，滕口说也。 · 单爻页
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.