I Ching Hexagram 31 Influence (Wooing) explained. Full analysis of judgment, image, six lines, and divination guidance.
Influence. Success. Perseverance furthers. To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune.
A lake on the mountain: The image of Influence. Thus the superior person encourages people to approach him by his readiness to receive them.
Hexagram 31 is the thirty-first hexagram of the I Ching, with the upper trigram Dui (Lake) and the lower trigram Gen (Mountain). A lake resting upon the mountain — water above, stillness below — creates a powerful image of mutual attraction and influence. The lake's moisture nourishes the mountain; the mountain supports the lake. Neither forces the other; both give and receive naturally.
This is the first hexagram of the Lower Canon (hexagrams 31-64), which concerns human relationships. Fittingly, it begins with Influence — the magnetic attraction that draws people together. The Chinese character "Xian" means both "to influence" and "all" or "universal," suggesting that true influence is not manipulation but a natural, mutual resonance.
The Judgment: Success. Perseverance furthers. To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune. The image of courtship represents the purest form of influence: attraction without coercion, drawing near through genuine appeal. The man (mountain) holds still and remains firm below; the woman (lake) is joyous and receptive above. Each is true to their nature, and from this authenticity, mutual attraction naturally arises.
The Image: A lake on the mountain. The superior person encourages approach through receptivity — not by pursuing or demanding, but by being genuinely open and welcoming. True influence is magnetic, not forceful.
Influence — The Deer and the Moonlit Lake
On a mountain peak, a serene lake reflects the full moon. A deer approaches the water's edge, drawn by the moon's reflection — not by force, not by command, but by the quiet magnetism of beauty reflected in stillness.
This card speaks of the art of genuine influence — the kind that draws rather than pushes, that attracts through authenticity rather than manipulation. The lake on the mountain is one of the I Ching's most beautiful images: water finding its way to the heights not through force but through the natural affinity between yielding receptivity and steady firmness.
Influence (Xian) in its highest form contains no self-interest. It is the natural resonance between two beings or two principles that belong together. The mountain does not chase the lake; the lake does not demand the mountain. They simply attract each other through their complementary natures.
When this card appears, it speaks of a time when genuine connection is possible — in love, in collaboration, in creative partnership. The key is authenticity: influence that stems from who you truly are rather than from what you pretend to be. Be still like the mountain, joyous like the lake, and let the natural attraction do its work.
The hexagram traces influence through the body from toes to tongue, teaching that the deepest influence begins with subtle physical resonance and culminates in words. But the best influence operates at the level of the heart — Nine in the Fourth — where sincerity creates the most lasting bonds.
Hexagram 31 speaks of mutual attraction and genuine influence. This is a time when natural resonance can create powerful connections. The key is receptivity and authenticity — influence through being rather than forcing.
Career
Influence in career matters speaks of natural professional magnetism. This is a time when your genuine qualities can attract opportunities, partnerships, and recognition. Do not force connections or push for results — let your work and character speak for themselves. Be receptive to new collaborations. The 'maiden' of career fortune comes to those who are authentically excellent rather than aggressively self-promoting.
Relationships
This is one of the I Ching's most auspicious hexagrams for love and romance. Natural attraction is at work — genuine mutual influence rather than one-sided pursuit. If single, this is an excellent time for meeting someone significant through natural affinity. If in a relationship, deepen the connection through receptivity and authentic self-expression. 'To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune' — commitments made under this influence are blessed.
Wealth
Financially, Influence suggests that wealth flows toward genuine value. Create real value and financial attraction follows naturally. This is not the time for aggressive financial maneuvering but for building genuine worth that naturally attracts prosperity. Investments in relationships and reputation pay dividends under this hexagram.
Health
For health, Influence highlights the body-mind connection. Emotional states directly affect physical well-being, and physical sensations carry emotional information. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Practices that harmonize body and mind — yoga, meditation, tai chi, mindful movement — are especially beneficial. The hexagram's progression through the body reminds us that wellness is a whole-body experience.
The six lines trace influence through the body from bottom to top: the toes (First Six), the calves (Six in the Second), the thighs (Nine in the Third), the heart (Nine in the Fourth), the back (Nine in the Fifth), and the jaws/tongue (Six at the Top) — mapping how influence moves from initial stirring to full expression.
First Six
Influence in the Big Toe
First Six represents the very beginning of influence — felt in the big toe, the body's point of first contact with the e.
Six in the Second
Influence in the Calves
Six in the Second feels influence in the calves — the muscles that propel us to follow.
Nine in the Third
Influence in the Thighs
Nine in the Third feels influence in the thighs — powerful muscles that drive movement.
Nine in the Fourth
Influence of the Heart
Nine in the Fourth reaches the heart — the center of genuine influence. "Perseverance brings good fortune.
Nine in the Fifth
Influence in the Back
Nine in the Fifth feels influence in the back of the neck — the spine that supports the head.
Six at the Top
Influence of Words
Six at the Top reaches the mouth — jaws, cheeks, and tongue.
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What is Hexagram 31 about?
Hexagram 31, Influence (Xian), is about mutual attraction and genuine influence between people. It is the first hexagram of the I Ching's Lower Canon, which focuses on human relationships. The hexagram depicts a lake on a mountain — the yielding and joyous above the firm and still — creating natural magnetic attraction. It teaches that true influence comes from authenticity and receptivity, not force.
Is Hexagram 31 good for love?
Yes, it is one of the most favorable hexagrams for romantic matters. 'To take a maiden to wife brings good fortune' directly addresses courtship and commitment. The mutual influence it describes — attraction without coercion — represents the ideal foundation for love. If you receive this hexagram in a love reading, natural attraction is working in your favor.
What does influence through the body mean?
The six lines trace influence ascending through the body: toes (initial stirring), calves (impulse to follow), thighs (movement toward), heart (deep sincerity), back (steady support), and jaws/tongue (verbal expression). This teaches that genuine influence begins as a subtle physical sensation and progresses to full expression — and that the deepest influence operates at the heart level.
How does this hexagram define true influence?
True influence, according to Hexagram 31, is mutual, natural, and free from ulterior motives. It is not manipulation or coercion but the natural magnetic attraction between complementary natures. The superior person 'encourages people to approach by his readiness to receive' — influence through openness and receptivity rather than pursuit and pressure.
What is the significance of the lake on the mountain?
A lake on a mountain is a striking natural image — water at the heights, defying the usual order. It represents how the yielding (water/lake) can reach the heights when supported by the firm (mountain). The moisture nourishes the mountain; the mountain holds the lake. This mutual support through contrasting natures is the essence of influence.
