咸 Influence

Also known as Mutual Attraction

The subtle pull between two beings — what the West calls rapport, the East the unspoken turning of hearts. The figure is about influence unforced: one becomes attractive by becoming receptive.

influence · attraction · wooing

The Story

Two strangers met on a mountain path. Neither spoke first. He stepped aside; she thanked him with her eyes. That evening, at the inn, they ate at separate tables and exchanged one courteous nod. In the morning they walked in the same direction. A week later they were in conversation; a month later, betrothed. "What drew you to each other?" the matchmaker asked, puzzled that no introduction had been needed. "Nothing was pushed," they both said. "We both made room." Influence is not persuasion. It is the quiet readiness that lets two people move toward each other without force.

Mountain Path panel 1 for Hexagram 31, Influence. — Mountain Path

Separate Tables panel 2 for Hexagram 31, Influence. — Separate Tables

Same Direction panel 3 for Hexagram 31, Influence. — Same Direction

Conversation Opens panel 4 for Hexagram 31, Influence. — Conversation Opens

No Introduction Needed panel 5 for Hexagram 31, Influence. — No Introduction Needed

Making Room panel 6 for Hexagram 31, Influence. — Making Room

The Judgment

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.

Interpretation

The subtle pull between two beings — what the West calls rapport, the East the unspoken turning of hearts. The figure is about influence unforced: one becomes attractive by becoming receptive. In courtship, friendship, leadership, this is the way.

Trigrams

Upper · Outer

兌

Duì · Lake

the joyous, open, reflective

Lower · Inner

艮

Gèn · Mountain

keeping still, stopping, stability

The Six Lines

First (Bottom) The influence shows itself in the big toe. The earliest stir of attraction; not yet visible.
Second The influence shows itself in the calves of the legs. Misfortune. Tarrying brings good fortune. Moving too early on a vague impulse; wait until it settles.
Third The influence shows itself in the thighs. Holds to that which follows it. To continue is humiliating. Following one's instincts blindly; stop and think.
Fourth 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. Influence that is scattered becomes weak; anchor it.
Fifth The influence shows itself in the back of the neck. No remorse. Firm willpower at the root; the influence does not shake one.
Sixth (Top) The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue. Mere talk; influence that never becomes action.