Zhouyi I Ching Hexagram 31, Xian, Lake over Mountain, Dui above Gen below

Detailed explanation of the first line of Hexagram 31 of the Zhouyi
Initial Six line statement
Six in the first place: Influence in the big toe.
The Image says: Influence in the big toe; the intent is directed outward.
Explanation in plain language
Six in the first place: Injuring the big toe.
The Image Commentary says: The big toe is moving, showing that the intention is to set out.
Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes
Neutral: Those who receive this line act too hastily and find it difficult to achieve much. Officials should cultivate themselves and wait for opportunity; officials in the capital will leave, while idle officials will rise.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning
Timing and fortune: Be quick-footed and arrive first; become famous in one stroke.
Financial fortune: The goods have been prepared but have not yet been released for sale.
Home: Moving to another region; the beginning of a marriage alliance.
Health: Treat an ailment of the foot.

Initial Six changing hexagram


When the first Six changes, it becomes Hexagram 49 of the Zhouyi: Lake over Fire, Revolution. This is a paired hexagram (Li below, Dui above). Li is fire and Dui is lake; there is water inside the lake. Water above pours downward while fire below rises upward. When fire is strong, water dries; when water is abundant, fire is extinguished. The two generate and overcome each other, so revolution inevitably appears. Revolution is a fundamental law of the universe.

Philosophical meaning of the First Nine line

The first line of Xian, line statement: “Six in the first place: Influence in the big toe.” Interpretation of the line statement
The big toe refers here to the foot’s great toe. The meaning of this line statement is: Mutual influence begins at the big toe.
The Xian hexagram concerns mutual influence. As the initial line, the first Six shows that influence begins at the big toe. This means two people have only just met. From the hexagram image, the first Six is a yin line in a yang position, improperly placed, but it responds to the fourth Nine. It is the beginning of yin-yang interaction; the feeling is only an initial impression, not yet developed to the point of discussing marriage, and it does not yet involve good or bad fortune.
Receiving this line indicates that when the two people first met, the other person felt favorably toward you and wished to develop the relationship further. But the time is not yet mature, so you should not take the initiative for now. The mutual influence is still shallow and insufficient to put into action.
Six in the first place: Fulfill the big toe.
The Image says: Fulfill the big toe; the intent is directed outward.
The meaning of the classical text is: Mutual influence reaches the big toe.
The meaning of the Image Commentary is: Influence reaches the big toe, showing that the mind is thinking of going outward.
The line statements clarify, in order from the bottom upward, the characteristics of mutual influence at different stages. This influence may be understood as the response between men and women, the response between Heaven and Earth, or the human response to all things.
Here, “thumb” refers to a person’s big toe. From the hexagram image, the line that corresponds responsively with Six in the first place is Nine in the fourth place. “Its thumb is affected” indicates that the resonance of things proceeds through stages from shallow to deep. At this point it is still in the initial stage, so only a superficial resonance can be obtained.
There is indeed a spiritual resonance between people. Zengzi was a great sage, and because he was exceptionally filial, he could sense his mother’s call even from a very distant place.
Detailed explanation of the Ninth Second Line of the Thirty-First Hexagram of the Zhouyi
Six in the second place line statement
Six in the second place. Its calf is affected; misfortune. Staying where one is brings good fortune.
The Image says: Although there is misfortune, staying where one is brings good fortune; following the proper course causes no harm.
Explanation in plain language
Six in the second place: Injury to the calf is an ominous sign. With the lower leg injured, one should not go out; staying quietly at home and remaining still will naturally bring safety.
The Image Commentary says: Although an ominous sign is encountered, staying quietly in place can turn misfortune into good fortune. Following the indication of the divination and maintaining the proper course can avert disaster.
Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes
Ordinary: Those who obtain this line will toil in vain; stillness is preferable to movement. Officials already in office are fortunate, while those traveling on official business face danger.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning
Fortune: Withdrawal and holding one’s ground are essential; rely on others to accomplish things.
Wealth: Business travel and trading are unsuitable; remain at home and conduct trade from a fixed place.
Home: There may be a change in the marriage arrangement; keeping to one’s course brings good fortune.
Health: Unable to walk.

Six in the second place changing hexagram


When the second line changes, it becomes Hexagram 28 of the Zhouyi: Great Exceeding, Lake over Wind. This is a contrasting hexagram, with Xun below and Dui above, superimposed. Dui is the lake and joy; Xun is wood and compliance. Lake water floods a boat, resulting in a great error. The yin and yang lines oppose each other; yang is great and yin is small. Its movement is extraordinary, giving an image of excess: firm within and yielding without.

Philosophical meaning of the Second Nine line

Second line of the Influence hexagram, line statement: Six in the second place: Its calf is affected; misfortune; staying where one is brings good fortune. Explanation of the line statement. Calf refers to the lower-leg muscle.
The meaning of this line statement is: The resonance occurs in the calf; there is misfortune, while staying quietly at home brings good fortune.
From the hexagram image, Six in the second place is a yin line in a yielding position, correctly placed. Above it, Nine in the fifth place, the ruler line, corresponds correctly, showing resonance between above and below. Seeking advancement is normally a good thing, but Six in the second place occupies the central position of the lower trigram; maintaining the center is proper, and it can gain good fortune only by waiting for Nine in the fifth place to promote it. If, from a low position, it rashly advances and forcibly seeks prominence, it will instead suffer many attacks and obstructions, leading to misfortune.
Those who obtain this line should note that, without patience, actively seeking the other person’s favor may produce the opposite result. Your cooperation and interaction with others are still at an initial stage; if you are restless and rush for results, it will be difficult to achieve your aim. It is best to remain quiet and self-contained, proceeding step by step; then good fortune will follow.
Six in the second place: Its calf is completed; misfortune; staying where one is brings good fortune.
The Image says: Although there is misfortune, staying where one is brings good fortune; following the proper course causes no harm.
The meaning of the classic text is: The resonance has reached the lower leg; this is dangerous, but being content to remain at home brings good fortune.
The meaning of the Image Commentary is: Although it is dangerous, staying safely indoors brings good fortune; following the proper course prevents harm.
Six in the second place resonates with Nine in the fifth place. The resonance has now reached the calf, showing further development. But the line statement says “misfortune”—why? Although the resonance between Six in the second place and Nine in the fifth place has reached the calf, it has not yet reached its most intense point. Six in the second place, however, wants to hurry after Nine in the fifth place. Since the timing is immature, this action is naturally dangerous. Thus the line statement adds, “Staying where one is brings good fortune,” meaning that remaining at home and not going out brings good fortune. Why does Six in the second place show an image of going out? Because it is the lowest line of the lower nuclear trigram Xun in the Influence hexagram. Xun means following and entering, hence the image of following someone away.
Detailed explanation of the Ninth Third Line of the Thirty-First Hexagram of the Zhouyi
Statement of the Third Nine line
Nine in the third place. Its thigh is affected; grasping at what follows it, going forward brings distress.
The Image says: Its thigh is affected; it is also unable to remain at rest. Its intention is to follow others; what it clings to is base.
Explanation in plain language
Nine in the third place: Injury to the thigh, with the flesh beneath the thigh also harmed. Going out while injured will certainly bring disaster.
The Image Commentary says: Moving the thigh shows that he is not at ease where he is. Yet his intention is merely to follow others, showing that the position he upholds is base and unworthy of adoption.
Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes
Ordinary: Those who obtain this line should preferably withdraw and hold their ground; officials should beware of demotion.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning
Fortune: It is best to withdraw and hold one’s ground; one’s reputation will not shine.
Wealth: Joint investment is difficult; the person in charge lacks ability.
Home: It is unsuitable to move away following someone; the current place is not a good match.
Health: Do not become trapped by sensual desire.

Transformation of the Third Nine line


When the third line changes, it becomes Hexagram 45 of the Zhouyi: Gathering, Lake over Earth. This is a contrasting hexagram, with Kun below and Dui above, superimposed. Kun is earth and compliance; Dui is lake and water. The lake overflows and submerges the earth; people become numerous and fight among themselves, so crises are everywhere. One must follow Heaven, appoint the worthy, prepare before trouble arises, and be yielding yet harmonious and cheerful, so that each complements the other and people may live peacefully and work contentedly. Gathering means assembling and uniting.

The philosophical meaning of the line of Nine in the third place

Third line of the Influence hexagram, line statement: Nine in the third place: Its thigh is affected; grasping at what follows it, going forward brings distress. Explanation of the line statement.
Thigh: refers to the upper leg. Hold on: obstinate adherence or blind obedience. Follow: pursue or follow.
The meaning of this line statement is: The resonance occurs in the thigh; do not follow others and act rashly, for going forward will bring difficulty.
The Image explains the third line: “Its thigh is affected”—it is also unable to remain at rest. “Its intention is to follow others”—what it clings to is base.
The Image points out: “The resonance occurs in the thigh” shows that one cannot remain peacefully in place and restrain oneself, but is impatient and acts recklessly according to one’s desires. “Do not follow others and act rashly” is because what it stubbornly pursues is excessively low and vile.
When this line is obtained in a divination, take note: if the other person shows you even a little favor, and you spend all day orbiting around them, you will only put yourself in a passive position. If you do not change this approach, your circumstances will become difficult. Whether in romantic relationships or in other matters, be careful not to deliberately and blindly follow others out of eagerness to achieve results too quickly. If this continues, danger is sure to follow.
Nine in the third place: Its thigh is completed; grasping at what follows it, going forward brings distress.
The Image says: Its thigh is completed; it is also unable to remain at rest. Its intention is to follow others; what it clings to is base.
The meaning of the classic text is: The resonance has reached the thigh; wanting to act along with another is restrained, and going forward brings regret and distress.
The meaning of the Image Commentary is: The resonance has reached the thigh, also meaning that one cannot settle down. The heart wants to act with another, but is controlled by what lies below.
Nine in the third place resonates with Six at the top. Their resonance has developed further than that of the first two lines and has reached the thigh. Since Nine in the third place occupies the center of the lower nuclear trigram Xun, it also has the image of following someone. But its situation is that it resonates with Six at the top while also combining yin and yang with Six in the second place below. It therefore cannot have both fish and bear’s paw; acting hastily brings regret and distress.
Detailed explanation of the Ninth Fourth Line of the Thirty-First Hexagram of the Zhouyi
Statement of the Fourth Nine line
Nine in the fourth place. Correctness brings good fortune and regret disappears. Coming and going restlessly, friends follow your thoughts.
The Image says: Correctness brings good fortune and regret disappears because no harm has yet been suffered. Coming and going restlessly, it has not yet become radiant and great.
Explanation in plain language
Nine in the fourth place: Divination is auspicious; there is nothing to regret. People come and go in a confused stream, and friends all follow your intention.
The Image Commentary says: Correctness brings good fortune and regret disappears because there has been no harm. Although several friends come and go in a constant stream, considerable mental effort is still required.
Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes
Ordinary: Those who obtain this line receive help from friends and can undertake small matters, but major matters are difficult; their minds are unsettled. Officials who govern impartially may hope for promotion.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning
Fortune: Merit and reputation become prominent; if one is not upright, evil follows.
Wealth: Forgetting righteousness upon seeing profit, with endless rivalry and contention.
Home: Be cautious in social relations; beware of infidelity.
Health: The mind is dazed and distracted; quiet recuperation is best.

Transformation of the Fourth Nine line


When the fourth line changes, it becomes Hexagram 39 of the Zhouyi: Difficulty, Water over Mountain. This is a contrasting hexagram, with Gen below and Kan above, superimposed. Kan is water and Gen is mountain. Mountains are high and waters deep; life is full of obstacles. Seeing danger and stopping, preserving oneself through wisdom, may be called intelligence. Difficulty means arduous travel.


Philosophical meaning of the Nine in the fourth place line

Fourth line of the Influence hexagram, line statement: Nine in the fourth place: Correctness brings good fortune and regret disappears; coming and going restlessly, friends follow your thoughts. Explanation of the line statement.
Correctness means firmness in what is right; here it refers to sincerity and treating people honestly. Regret disappears means having no resentment or regret. Coming and going restlessly means unstable, frequent interaction. Following means accompanying or responding.
The meaning of this line statement is: Good fortune can be obtained, and danger and distress will disappear. Even if your mind is uneasy and your thoughts are unceasing, your friends will ultimately follow your wishes.
From the hexagram image, Nine in the fourth place is in the upper trigram, like the position of the heart in the human body, indicating communion of spirit. Although Nine in the fourth place is a yang line in a yin position and is therefore not correctly placed, its heart is sincere and its resolve firm; it responds above to what is below and humbly shows courtesy to those below. In the hexagram image, Nine in the fourth place maintains contact with Six in the first place. It disregards personal gain or loss and frequently associates with Six in the first place; such sincerity will inevitably receive a response of exchanging heart for heart.
Those who obtain this line, in matters of romantic love, should understand that the resonance with the other person has finally reached the proper point. You may take the initiative without worrying about others’ obstruction. As long as you interact frequently and sincerely, you will surely move the other person and win their wholehearted affection.
Nine in the fourth place: Correctness brings good fortune and regret disappears; coming and going restlessly, friends follow your thoughts.
The Image says: Correctness brings good fortune and regret disappears; harm has not yet been felt. Coming and going restlessly, it has not yet become radiant and great.
The meaning of the classic text is: Keeping to the proper path brings no worry or regret; coming and going with an unsettled mind, friends share your thoughts. The meaning of the Image Commentary is: Keeping to the proper path brings no worry or regret because harm has not yet been felt. Coming and going with an unsettled mind is not yet sufficiently open and honorable.
The line statement here is described very vividly, portraying the psychology of people in their first love with great delicacy and precision. “Coming and going restlessly, friends follow your thoughts” reflects the common psychology of people in first love: somewhat unsettled, afraid of being discovered, and acting rather secretly. Nowadays, people courting each other are not so cautious. Still, that unsettled feeling remains.
When both parties interact with this state of mind, it shows that the resonance has reached a relatively mature stage. Therefore, as long as both parties keep to the proper path in their interaction, there will be good fortune and no regret.
Detailed explanation of the Ninth Fifth Line of the Thirty-First Hexagram of the Zhouyi
Statement of the Fifth Nine line
Nine in the fifth place. Its flesh at the spine is affected; no regret.
The Image says: Its flesh at the spine is affected; the intention is at the end.
Explanation in plain language
Nine in the fifth place: Injury to the flesh of the back, but no disaster occurs.
The Image Commentary says: Shrugging the back and reacting as if bearing a heavy load appears to show that one’s intention lies in lowly matters.
Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes
Ordinary: Those who obtain this line find human relationships disharmonious and their undertakings minor. Officials often fail to get along with their colleagues.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning
Fortune: What you seek has not yet been accomplished; wait a little longer.
Wealth: There has already been a response; there is no need to worry.
Home: Peace and safety can be maintained.
Health: An illness will recover, and longevity may increase.

Transformation of the Fifth Nine line


When the fifth line changes, it becomes Hexagram 62 of the Zhouyi: Small Exceeding, Thunder over Mountain. This is a contrasting hexagram, with Gen below and Zhen above, superimposed. Gen is mountain and Zhen is thunder. Thunder sounds beyond the mountain, something that cannot fail to inspire fear. Yang is great and yin is small; the four yin lines outside exceed the two yang lines in the center, hence “Small Exceeding,” a slight crossing beyond.

Philosophical meaning of the Nine in the fifth place line

Fifth line of the Influence hexagram, line statement: Nine in the fifth place: Its flesh at the spine is obscured; no regret. Explanation of the line statement.
The obscured flesh refers to the flesh along the spine, that is, the inner spinal flesh.
The meaning of this line statement is: The resonance occurs in the spine, and no regret will arise.
From the hexagram image, Nine in the fifth place is the ruler line; a yang line in a yang position, it is correctly placed. Yet, with the dignity of an emperor, what it must resonate with is the people throughout the realm.
The Image analyzes this line as follows: “Its flesh at the spine is obscured”; its intention is not yet complete. It points out that “the resonance occurs in the spine” shows that one knows only how to perfect oneself, so one’s aspiration is unavoidably too shallow.
Those who obtain this line, in romantic matters, should observe carefully: if the other person does not respond to your wishes, it may be because they are slow to react or absent-minded. If so, there is no need to waste further effort trying to move them; you should abandon that attempt.
Nine in the fifth place: Its flesh at the spine is affected; no regret. The Image says: Its flesh at the spine is affected; the intention is at the end.
The meaning of the classic text is: The resonance has reached the back; there is no worry or regret.
The meaning of the Image Commentary is: The resonance has reached the back, showing that the wish has not yet been fulfilled. The term for the flesh at the spine refers to the flesh near the spine at the back, very close to the heart. This shows that the resonance has reached the most sensitive area; the human back has abundant channels, so sensation there is extremely acute. Yet above Nine in the fifth place is Nine at the top. Although Nine in the fifth place corresponds with Six in the second place, because of the constraint imposed by Six at the top, it cannot unite with Six in the second place. Therefore the Image Commentary says, “The intention is at the end.”
Detailed explanation of the Ninth Top Line of the Thirty-First Hexagram of the Zhouyi
Upper Six line statement
Six at the top. Its jaw, cheeks, and tongue are affected.
The Image says: Its jaw, cheeks, and tongue are affected; calamity is stirred up by reckless speech.
Explanation in plain language
Six at the top: Injury to the jaw, cheeks, and tongue.
The Image Commentary says: Injury to the jaw, cheeks, and tongue is calamity brought on by reckless speech.
Explanation by Shao Yong, a Northern Song scholar of the Changes
Ordinary: Those who obtain this line will face many disputes caused by words and should guard against slander. It is auspicious for speakers, performers, and critics. Officials may face accusations concerning their conduct.
Interpretation by Fu Peirong, a Taiwanese master of traditional Chinese learning
Fortune: Outstanding eloquence, with a heart that remains upright.
Wealth: Disaster through words; one must be extremely cautious.
Home: Quarrels over words; the matchmaker exaggerates.
Health: Speaking incoherently; pray for peace and safety.

Upper Six changing hexagram


When the top line changes, it becomes Hexagram 33 of the Zhouyi: Retreat, Heaven over Mountain. This is a contrasting hexagram, with Gen below and Qian above, superimposed. Qian is heaven and Gen is mountain. There is a mountain beneath Heaven; the mountain is high and Heaven withdraws. Yin grows while yang declines; petty people gain power and noble people retire, preserving themselves wisely and waiting for an opportunity to save the realm.

Philosophical meaning of the Upper Nine line

Sixth line of the Influence hexagram, line statement: Six at the top: Its jaw, cheeks, and tongue are affected.
Sixth line of the Influence hexagram, line statement: Six at the top: Its jaw, cheeks, and tongue are affected. Explanation of the line statement.
Jaw refers to the part of the face containing the tooth sockets. Cheek refers to the cheek.
The meaning of this line statement is: The resonance occurs in the jaw, cheeks, and tongue.
Six at the top: Its jaw, cheeks, and tongue are affected. The Image says: Its jaw, cheeks, and tongue are affected; this is speech pouring from the mouth.
The meaning of the classic text is: The resonance has reached the jaw, cheeks, and tongue.
The meaning of the Image Commentary is: The resonance has reached the jaw, cheeks, and tongue; this means speaking recklessly and without restraint.
“Jaw” refers to a person’s upper tooth sockets. The ancients said, “The carriage and its support preserve each other; lips and teeth depend on each other,” both referring to organs in the human mouth. “Carriage” refers to the lower jaw; “the carriage and its support preserve each other” means the upper and lower jaws depend on each other, and neither can be lacking. “Lips and teeth depend on each other” means the lips and teeth likewise depend on each other, because when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. The upper trigram of the Influence hexagram is Dui, which means mouth, while the uppermost yin line resembles teeth, so the resonance of Six at the top reaches the area around the teeth. “Speech pouring from the mouth” means that mutual resonance produces endless words, flowing continuously like water.