31 · 咸

Hexagram 31, 咸. Original Chinese judgment: 咸，亨，利貞，取女吉。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

咸，亨，利貞，取女吉。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初六：咸其拇。
  2. 六二：咸其腓，凶，居吉。
  3. 九三：咸其股，執其隨，往吝。
  4. 九四：貞吉，悔亡，憧憧往來，朋從爾思。
  5. 九五：咸其脢，无悔。
  6. 上六：咸其輔頰舌。

Tuan commentary

咸，感也。柔上而剛下，二氣感應以相與，止而說，男下女，是以亨利貞，取女吉也。天地感而萬物化生，聖人感人心而天下和平；觀其所感，而天地萬物之情可見矣！

维基文库 · 周易 · 咸

Great Image commentary

山上有澤，咸；君子以虛受人。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 咸其拇，志在外也。
  2. 雖凶，居吉，順不害也。
  3. 咸其股，亦不處也。志在隨人，所執下也。
  4. 貞吉悔亡，未感害也。憧憧往來，未光大也。
  5. 咸其脢，志末也。
  6. 咸其輔，頰，舌，滕口說也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷二

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Xian as mutual responsiveness. Gen’s stopping focuses feeling, and Dui’s joy allows a full response. Influence allows connection but must accord with correctness, otherwise unhindered progress is lost.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. The first yin line uses the toes as its image: influence remains shallow, with an outward intention not yet able to advance. Quiet holding is fitting for the lines of this hexagram.
  2. The second yin line is like calf muscles moving first under outside influence; hasty advance is inauspicious. Fortunately its yielding, centered correctness allows auspiciousness if it stays in place.
  3. The third yang line is like thighs following the feet, lacking independence. Firm yang at the extreme of Gen’s stopping should remain quiet; insisting on following others brings humiliation.
  4. The fourth yang line governs responsiveness. The heart’s response to things must be steadfastly correct and without selfishness. Wavering under private influences reaches only one’s own circle.
  5. The fifth yang line uses flesh on the back above the heart, turned away from the heart and free of private attachment. Though not broadly influencing things, it can remain without regret.
  6. The top yin line is at Dui’s mouth and the extreme of influence, moving others only through speech without substance. The image itself makes its error clear.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Xian concerns mutual responsiveness. Gen below knows when to stop, keeping feeling focused; Dui above is harmonious and joyful, allowing a full response. Influence can connect people, but must accord with the proper way rather than being driven by restlessness or private attachments.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Influence is still as shallow as the toes. Although an intention to act has formed, its strength is not yet enough for real advance.
  2. Like a calf muscle moving first in response to an outside stimulus, hasty advance brings danger. Staying in one's place with centered correctness is auspicious.
  3. Like a thigh that merely follows the foot, one loses independence. Insisting on following others forward brings regret.
  4. At the center of influence, steadfast correctness without selfishness is needed. If the mind wavers back and forth, influence reaches only one's own circle.
  5. The flesh of the back near the heart represents freedom from private attachment. Although influence cannot reach widely, there can still be no regret.
  6. Trying to move others solely through speech, without substance, shows that responsiveness has become merely superficial.

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