Hexagram 31 of 64 · Lake ☱ over Mountain ☶
Influence
Xián
Mutual attraction — the influence that draws two beings together when the strong one is willing to be beneath the gentle one.
The Judgment
Influence has success. Perseverance furthers. To take a wife brings good fortune — the hexagram of courtship, when attraction is sincere and reciprocal.
The Image
A lake on the mountain: the mountain holds still and the lake rests on it; the lake’s moisture feeds the mountain and the mountain’s height gives the lake its stillness. The wise person encourages people to approach by their readiness to receive them.
Hexagram 31 Meaning
The first hexagram of the second half of the book, and the one about attraction between two people. The strong mountain places itself below the gentle lake — that is the secret: influence works when strength is receptive. The old text traces the feeling through the body, from toes to jaws, warning at each stage against acting on impulse before the influence has become mutual. Attraction is real. Let it become reciprocal before you move.
Influence in Love
This is the courtship hexagram, and it is favourable — to take a wife brings good fortune. Two people are drawing toward each other. The counsel is patience and openness rather than pursuit: let the influence work on both sides, do not chase or perform, be genuinely receptive and the other person will come toward you. The body lines warn against acting on the first stir of feeling. Wait until it has reached the heart.
Influence in Career & Money
Influence rather than force — persuasion, networking, attraction of allies and clients. The hexagram favours the leader who is receptive, who draws people by openness. Good for partnerships forming, for recruiting, for any situation where you need someone to want to work with you. Do not push; make yourself the lake on the mountain, and the right people approach.
What to Do
Be open and let attraction work both ways. Do not act on the first impulse; let the influence reach the heart. Strength that is willing to be beneath gentleness is what draws people in.
Influence as a Yes or No
yes
Yes — mutual attraction is present and the connection is favoured; let it develop naturally.
The Trigrams
Above: Lake (兌 Duì) — the joyous — pleasure, openness, the youngest daughter.
Below: Mountain (艮 Gèn) — keeping still — stillness, boundary, the youngest son.
The Six Lines of Influence
Read when the line is moving (a 6 or 9 in the cast). Bottom line first.
- 1
Line 1 · yin
The influence shows itself in the big toe: the first stirring — nothing has happened yet; do not act on it.
- 2
Line 2 · yin
The influence shows itself in the calves, misfortune; tarrying brings good fortune: the urge to move — resist it and wait.
- 3
Line 3 · yang
The influence shows itself in the thighs, holds to that which follows it — to continue is humiliating: acting on every impulse costs you dignity.
- 4
Line 4 · yang
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: influence from the heart is steady; anxious influence is scattered.
- 5
Line 5 · yang
The influence shows itself in the back of the neck, no remorse: firm will, unmoved by the crowd — no regret.
- 6
Line 6 · yin
The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue: influence through talk alone — empty, no effect.
Will Influence Appear in Your Cast?
Cast the coins on your own question — free, instant, with every moving line explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hexagram 31, Influence, mean?
The first hexagram of the second half of the book, and the one about attraction between two people. The strong mountain places itself below the gentle lake — that is the secret: influence works when strength is receptive. The old text traces the feeling through the body, from toes to jaws, warning at each stage against acting on impulse before the influence has become mutual. Attraction is real. Let it become reciprocal before you move.
What does Influence mean in love?
This is the courtship hexagram, and it is favourable — to take a wife brings good fortune. Two people are drawing toward each other. The counsel is patience and openness rather than pursuit: let the influence work on both sides, do not chase or perform, be genuinely receptive and the other person will come toward you. The body lines warn against acting on the first stir of feeling. Wait until it has reached the heart.
What does Influence mean for career and money?
Influence rather than force — persuasion, networking, attraction of allies and clients. The hexagram favours the leader who is receptive, who draws people by openness. Good for partnerships forming, for recruiting, for any situation where you need someone to want to work with you. Do not push; make yourself the lake on the mountain, and the right people approach.
Is hexagram 31 a yes or a no?
Influence answers "yes". Yes — mutual attraction is present and the connection is favoured; let it develop naturally.
Previous hexagram
30. The Clinging, Fire
clarity
Next hexagram
32. Duration
endurance
Last updated: August 30, 2026
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