The 64 Hexagrams / 31
Hexagram 31 · ䷞
Influence
咸 · Xián
Upper Lake 兌Lower Mountain 艮
The Judgment · 卦辭
亨。利貞。取女吉。
Hsien 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.
The Image · 大象
山上有澤,咸;君子以虛受人。
(The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for (the waters of) a marsh form Hsien. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps his mind free from pre-occupation, and open to receive (the influences of) others.
Plain-English Meaning
Influence and attraction. Genuine connection arises from openness, receptiveness and sincere feeling.
The Judgment
Mutual influence brings success; it is a favourable sign for union.
The Image
Like a lake upon a mountain, keep an open, unoccupied mind to receive others.
Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.
The Lines · 爻辭
- 初六 · Line 1咸其拇。The first six, divided, shows one moving his great toes.象曰:咸其拇,志在外也。
- 六二 · Line 2咸其腓,凶,居吉。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.象曰:雖凶,居吉,順不害也。
- 九三 · Line 3咸其股,執其隨,往吝。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.象曰:咸其股,亦不處也。志在隨人,所執下也。
- 九四 · Line 4貞吉悔亡,憧憧往來,朋從爾思。The fourth NINE, undivided, shows that firm correctness whi.ch 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.象曰:貞吉悔亡,未感害也。憧憧往來,未光大也。
- 九五 · Line 5咸其脢,无悔。The fifth NINE, undivided, shows one moving the flesh along the spine above the heart. There will be no occasion for repentance.象曰:咸其脢,志末也。
- 上六 · Line 6咸其輔,頰,舌。The sixth six, divided, shows one moving his jaws and tongue.象曰:咸其輔,頰,舌,滕口說也。
English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.